Have you ever thought about raising snails? Maybe you’ve heard about snail farming but never looked into it. Or maybe you’re curious about how people make money from snails.
Snail farming is one of the easiest and most profitable types of farming. It doesn’t need much space, and snails are easy to care for. Plus, the market for snails is growing fast—whether for food, cosmetics, or even medicine.
In this guide, we’ll look into snail farming for beginners and why you should consider starting a snail farm at home.
If you’re serious about raising snails for profit, or just want to learn about these amazing creatures, keep reading.
What Is Snail Farming?
Snail farming, or heliculture, is the practice of raising snails for food, cosmetics, medicine, or pet feed.
Unlike other livestock, snails require very little space and are quiet, low-maintenance, and profitable.
Snails are a delicacy in many parts of the world.
- In France, dishes like escargot are in high demand.
- In Nigeria and Ghana, snails are considered a premium protein source.
The demand for snails is also increasing in the USA, where gourmet restaurants serve them as a specialty.
Types of Snail Farming
There are different ways to farm snails, depending on your space and budget:
1. Outdoor Snail Farming (Free-Range System):
Here, snails live in a natural environment, such as a fenced garden.
- Good for warm, humid climates.
- Requires more space but allows snails to grow naturally.
2. Indoor Snail Farming:
- Snails are kept in controlled environments (wooden boxes, tanks, or greenhouses).
- Ideal for places with harsh weather.
- Prevents predators and diseases.
3. Tyre-Based Snail Farming:
- Uses old tyres stacked on top of each other as snail enclosures.
- A space-saving method for small farms.
- Affordable and easy to maintain.
Each method has its pros and cons, but home or indoor snail farming is great for beginners because they are easier to control.
Why Raise Snails?
Here are a few reasons you should consider raising snails:
1. Snail Farming Is Highly Profitable:
If you’re thinking about starting a snail business, here’s some good news: snails are in high demand!
- The snail market is growing worldwide.
- Snail meat is expensive and sold at a premium price.
- Snail slime is used in skincare and pharmaceuticals.
- You can sell snails to restaurants, grocery stores, beauty brands, and even pet food companies.
Some of the most successful snail farms include Trisolace Farms (Africa), French Snail Farms, and Irish Snail Farms. These farms supply escargot farms in the USA and other international markets.
2. Snails Require Low Investment and Maintenance:
Unlike other livestock, snails:
- Don’t need expensive food.
- Can live in small spaces.
- Don’t smell or make noise.
- Require little water and food.
You can start a snail farm at home with just a few materials. Many farmers begin with breeding snails at home before expanding into commercial snail farming.
3. Snails Are a Sustainable Food Source:
Snails are:
- Rich in protein (great alternative to meat).
- Low in fat and cholesterol (healthy food choice).
- Rich in calcium and iron (great for bones and blood health).
Because they reproduce quickly and eat natural foods, snails are a sustainable farming choice.
How to Start a Snail Farm
If you’re looking to start snail farming, here’s how you can go about that:
1. Choosing the Right Snail Species:
If you want to start snail farming for profit, you need to choose the right species.
The most commonly farmed snails are:
- Achatina achatina – Giant African snail (grows the biggest).
- Achatina fulica – East African land snail (fast-growing).
- Helix aspersa – Garden snail (popular in French snail farms and escargot farming USA).
African snail farming is profitable because they grow larger and reproduce quickly. French snail farms focus on Helix aspersa because it is preferred for escargot farms.
2. Setting Up Your Snail Farm:
Whether you’re doing home snail farming or commercial snail farming, you need:
- A good location – A humid, shaded area with soft soil.
- An enclosure – Can be a pen, wooden box, concrete tank, or tyres.
- Soil – Snails need calcium-rich soil for their shells.
- Temperature control – Snails thrive at 20-26°C with 75-90% humidity.
Tip: Avoid sandy or acidic soil, as it weakens their shells.
3. Feeding Your Snails:
Snails eat:
- Fruits (pawpaw, banana, mango)
- Vegetables (cabbage, lettuce, carrots)
- Calcium sources (egg shells, limestone)
Never feed them salty or spicy foods, as it harms them.
4. Breeding Snails for Profit;
Snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they can fertilize each other. They lay 100-500 eggs at a time. After hatching, the baby snails take 6-12 months to reach market size.
If you’re breeding snails for profit, it’s best to separate small snails from adults to avoid overcrowding.
Challenges of Snail Farming and How to Overcome Them
Here’s how to overcome some snail farming challenges:
1. Common Snail Diseases:
- Bacterial infections – Caused by dirty conditions.
- Shell damage – Due to calcium deficiency.
- Fungal infections – Caused by damp environments.
Solution: Keep the farm clean and provide calcium-rich food.
2. Predators and Pests:
Snails are eaten by rats, birds, and ants.
Solution: Use fine mesh wire or netting around your farm.
3. Selling and Marketing Snails
You can sell your snails at:
- Local markets and restaurants
- Supermarkets and grocery stores
- Escargot farms
- Snail cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies
To increase profit from your snail farm:
- Sell snail meat, slime, eggs, and shells
- Market through social media and farm websites
- Partner with restaurants that serve escargot
In Conclusion
Snail farming is profitable, low-cost, and easy to start. Whether you’re interested in raising snails at home or going into commercial snail farming, this business has huge potential.
If you’re a beginner, start small with breeding snails at home before expanding.
With the right setup and care, you can turn snail cultivation into a successful business.