I've got a mystery in my closed terrarium—tiny snails showed up 1.5 years after I added my last plant! I've attached a couple of pictures. Do you think it's possible that the eggs were hiding in my plants and just took this long to hatch, or have these little guys been lurking in there all along? A year ago, I had a few centimeters long creatures that I thought were centipedes or millipedes show up. They stuck around for a while but then all three decided to crawl into the carnivorous plant one morning and didn't make it. I'm curious about these new snail guests! Any insights would be super appreciated!
2 Answers
It’s definitely possible for eggs to sit dormant in the soil for long periods before hatching, especially in a closed ecosystem like your terrarium. Their appearance might also be a sign that the environment is just right for them now! Just remember, while they're cute, they'll need to be monitored since they can reproduce quickly.
Those little snails could have hitched a ride on any decorations or materials you used, like moss, bark, or even soil. It’s possible they’ve been sneaky passengers this whole time. They're adorable but watch out! They might snack on your plants as well as the decaying matter.
Exactly! Make sure to keep an eye on your plants. If they start nibbling away, you might need to relocate them or take some preventive measures.
True! And if you decide to remove them, you could consider transferring them to a separate environment where they might thrive without risking your plants.