FEED INTAKE AND PREFERENCE OF THE GIANT SNAIL ACHATINA ACHATINA (Linne 1758)

Abstract

Feed intake and preference were examined in the breeding of the edible giant snail Achatina achatina (Linné). The fodder or flour was fed by pairs to the snails in a dietary preference experiment. The results indicated that: 1) this mollusc consumed a wide array of comestible feeds such as green fodder, flour of roots or cereals and mature fruits; 2) the feed intake and preference seem to vary with the body size and feed palatability; 3) the feed which was well consumed did not necessarily offer the best feed conversion ratio. Then it is necessary to balance the diets in order to master efficient snail breeding