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Garden slugs are a very common creature in the garden, making them a very easy pet to find. All you need to keep a slug as a pet is the information provided here and a few supplies. Let's get started!
Things You Should Know
- Keep your garden slug in a mason jar, old aquarium, or other container. Make sure there are holes in the top so your slug can breathe.
- Line the bottom with a layer of soil, then add leaves, rocks, and twigs.
- Spritz your slug's habitat with water 2 times a day to provide moisture.
- Feed your slug fresh fruit or vegetables once a day.
Steps
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Make a slug home. For a habitat, you can use multiple things, such as a critter-keeper, a photo storage box, an old container, a mason jar, an old aquarium with a lid, and even clear plastic boxes from the dollar store. However, if you do use a plastic box or container, always remember to drill or poke holes in the lid, so your slug can breathe. Don't make the holes too big or your slug can, and probably will escape. [1] X Research source
- Make sure to have a smaller back-up habitat if one of your slugs gets sick or to transfer the slug to when you clean the habitat.
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Add leaves, rocks, and twigs and sticks. For the base of the habitat, add a layer of soil or dirt. It can come from a pet store or even from your backyard. Most snails owners usually layer the tank bottom. [2] X Research source
- For example, add a layer of garden pebbles or fish rocks to the bottom of the tank. On top of that, add soil or dirt, then add a thin layer of grass or leaves. [3] X Research source
- Always remember to add hide-out places, for when your slug gets scared!
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Give your slugs fresh food at least once every day. Most pet owners typically feed their garden slugs fresh fruit and vegetables. Mostly any will do fine. [4] X Research source However, if you do notice anything unusual with a certain food, check a snail or slug site.
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Make sure to discard any uneaten or old food so you do not attract fruit flies, which can kill your slugs. [5] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan slugs survive traveling in a car?Community AnswerIt depends on the temperature, and how long they are in the car for. Make sure they are in a container with moisture and dirt.
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QuestionHow can I find out my slug's age?Lucy ThurgoodTop AnswererYou can't; however, the general rule is: the smaller the slug, the younger it is.
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QuestionHow many times do I have to change the soil?Community AnswerYou don't have to change the soil at all. Just make sure to water it every other day to keep it damp.
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Tips
- Never leave your slug in direct sunshine or light. Never ever place your slug in direct tap water or put it in a pool. Always remember that you don't know its real age, so it may die earlier than you expect.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Try setting up a bioactive tank for your slug so you don't have to clean as much. Simply set up your tank with moist soil and add springtails or woodlice to help clean any mold in the tank. Then, you can just spot clean dirty areas of the tank.
- Wear gloves before handling your slug to protect both it and you (slugs can carry parasites that are hazardous to your health). You should especially avoid touching mucus membranes on the slug, such as its eyes, nose, and mouth
- I'd recommend using twigs and leaves from your yard (not from a pet store) so that your slug has things that are familiar from their old habitat.
- Make sure to add plenty of vertical twigs, slugs love to climb!
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Warnings
- Never put your pet in direct sunlight. Slugs are usually very sensitive to light. These are nocturnal animals. Your slug may not live the expected years because they are from the wild and you cannot predict its real age.Thanks
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References
- ↑ http://velvetdragon.com/cyberslugs/pets.html#supplies
- ↑ http://velvetdragon.com/cyberslugs/pets.html#supplies
- ↑ https://snailsandslugs.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/terrarium/
- ↑ https://www.slughelp.com/plants-snails-and-slugs-like-to-eat-vegetables-herbs-flowers/
- ↑ http://velvetdragon.com/cyberslugs/pets.html
- http://www.petsnails.co.uk/
- https://snailsandslugs.wordpress.com/category/resources/websites
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 99,885 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I found 2 garden snails that I'm keeping as pets. They calm me just watching them, as they are so cute to watch. Your article helped me to feed and take care of them. I had no clue. Thank you so much. I love the pictures; they make it so much easier to understand." ..." more
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"I found 2 garden snails that I'm keeping as pets. They calm me just watching them, as they are so cute to watch. Your article helped me to feed and take care of them. I had no clue. Thank you so much. I love the pictures; they make it so much easier to understand."
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"I found a tiny slug while on a walk. I think it is a baby because it is very tiny (3/4 inch long). I am going to set up a little home for him, thanks for the advice in the article!"
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"I have always been wanting to keep slugs as pets, but was not sure how to do it. This article helped figure out how to do it."
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"My son wants to make a home for the slug he found, and this info helped give me some ideas!"
"I just got a pet slug from outside, and I wanted to know what to put in his habitat!"
