EVALUATION OF THE SEASONAL EFFECTS ON LAYING PERFORMANCE OF AFRICAN GIANT LAND SNAILS, (Archachatina marginata), (Achatina achatina) AND (Achatina fulica), IN CAPTIVITY.

Abstract

Atotal of 150 land snails, 50 each ofArchachatina marginata,Achatina fulica andAchatina achatina of weight range (≤100g, 101-150g and >150g) were reared in captivity to determine the effect of seasons on laying performance at the snail unit of Federal College of Education, Special, Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected on the clutch size of each species of snail; temperature and relative humidity were also observed and recorded for analysis. The result showed that there was a significant (P<0.01) effect of species on the laying performance of Archachatina marginata, Achatina fulica and Achatina achatina at with the least square mean values of 5.35± 7.39; 236.37± 7.66 and 90.38±28.52 respectively. It also showed that the effect of different seasons on the clutch size and the interactive effect of species and seasons were not significant.