RSPCA Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk branch appeals to rehome Giant African land snails

An animal welfare charity is offering the chance to give a home to some ‘unique’ and ‘exotic’ animals.

The RSPCA is appealing for help to rehome 10 Giant African land snails, based at its Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk branch, in Ashwellthorpe.

Due to being hermaphroditic, snails reproduce quickly, and 20 of them arrived at the branch after their previous owner became overwhelmed by their growing numbers.

The branch hopes to find owners who are diligent about ensuring their numbers do not spiral out of control.

Chloe Shorten, head of animal welfare at the branch, said: “They are not your average pet but they can make fantastic, fascinating companions.

“Sadly we have had these for a year and a half now – and we would love for them to go to new homes. They are such unique pets and are always a talking point.

“They do breed quickly and their enclosures need sweeping of eggs, so anyone taking on a snail would need to humanely dispatch the eggs to prevent them from multiplying or you will find your number doubles very quickly.”

Despite this, Chloe said, the snails make interesting pets which enjoy a varied diet including courgettes and dill.

Giant African land snails can grow to shell sizes of 18cm. They are the largest known land snail species.

Anyone wishing to adopt a snail can do so via an enquiry form on the charity’s website.

The appeal followed the RSPCA’s For Every Kind campaign, which urged for a ‘radical rethink’ to people’s relationships with animals.

It was launched as part of its 200th anniversary year.

Giant African land snails appeared in an advert promoting the appeal.