Feeding and Nutrition :: Zoomed Can O' Snails?

[DanielRES1180]

I just bought one of those Can O' Snails things from Zoomed. Just wondering if anybody else uses these too. Can you recommend them?

[marisa]

I've used some of the Zoo-Med Can 'O Whatever, but have never used the snails. The good thing about snails is that their shells contain calcium, but I don't think the snails in those cans have shells on them.

[DanielRES1180]

You're right, they are farm raised to have no shell. Is the shell necessary, or will cuttlebone and calcium blocks compensate for it?

[marisa]

It's not necessary, but is part of the nutritional value of the snail. I don't know how much nutrition those Zoo-Med snails have in them. And with only 1 turtle you probably won't be able to use the whole can before it goes bad unless you freeze part of it...

[DanielRES1180]

The can's "guaranteed" analysis-

Crude Protein, min- 18.8%
Crude Fat, min- 0.6%
Crude Fiber, max- 3.2%
Crude Ash, max- 1.9%
Moisture Content, max- 76%

I don't know what you think about this but it doesn't sound that decent to me.

[marisa]

So they contain a lot of water and are fairly low in protein (most of the Can 'O whatever is similar in this respect). I don't know, it's up to you. I've never tried them because to me, the shell is part of what's good. A positive thing about the canned worms, though, is that they shouldn't have parasites (always a chance with live ones). As an occasional part of the overall diet, I would think they'd be OK just for the variety.