Impact of Artificial Diet on Captive Rearing of African Giant Land Snail Archachatina marginata Pulmonata: Stylommatophora
Ejidike B. N.
Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, P. M. B. 704, Akure, Nigeria. email: bndike@yahoo.com
Accepted on November 26, 2010
Abstract
The effect of 25% crude protein diet, green papaw (Carica papaya) leaves or 25% crude protein diet plus green papaw (Carica papaya) leaves (ratio 1:1) on the African giant land snail’s (Archachatina marginata) growth performance and survival were studied for over 180 days. The study diet treatments were designated treatment I – III respectively. The Archachatina marginata were stocked five snails per replicates of nine for the three treatments in wooden cages raised 10cm above the ground; and fed 2% body weight/day. The Archachatina marginata fed on treatments 1 and 11 had similar (p>0.05) body weight gain. The body weight gain of Archachatina marginata fed on treatment 111 was significantly influenced (p<0.05) more than those on the treatments I and II. The morphological parameters (shell, length, shell width, shell aperture) followed the same trend of significance as body weight.