Heliculture or snail farming is the cultivation of snails in confined spaces. Different species of snails have been known to be eaten by man.

Heliciculture, as an agricultural activity, is currently experiencing a renewed interest as a profitable practice across Africa, Europe, and Asia.

During the day or in when exposed to strong lights, snails crawl into their shells and remain there. When the lights are out, they crawl out to feed.

These mollusks are especially active after showers.  The period of active wakefulness in grape snails is an average of 5 months.

All summer, snails accumulate nutrients in the body, and when the air temperature drops or rises, they leave hibernate or aestivate. In these processes, they dig up soil (usually between 5-10 centimeters) and remain dormant throughout the harsh weather conditions.

They can be buried to a depth of 30-35 cm in cold areas. Fallen foliage and then snow safely protect the mollusks from frost.

Although the snail, having closed in the sink, falls into a stupor, the metabolic processes in its body do not stop, although it is very slow.

Cardiac activity drops to one contraction per minute. During the winter or dry season, the snails hibernate or aestivate. Hibernation happens in wintered regions while aestivation happens in the tropics – during the dry season.

In either of these periods, the snail loses up to 10% of its weight. When favorable conditions return, usually wet or rainy seasons, the snails break from their dormancy and moves around in search for food.

After satisfying their hunger, the mollusks begin to search for partners for reproduction.

Some of the benefits of snail farming in Africa include the following:

1. When compared to other animal farming, heliculture is considered one of the simplest animal farming to undertake. Unlike other animal farming ventures, the demand for snails is huge and the market is still largely unsaturated.

2. Snails are a good source of protein as they contain little or no fat. Snail meat is also very beneficial to people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and cancer

3. Starting a heliculture farm requires very little capital.

4. Snails are good sources of essential minerals including phosphorus, calcium and iron, and sodium. They are also rich in protein and low in unhealthy fat.

5. In some societies, snails are considered an invasive species. In Africa, snails are not considered as such. They Environmental friendly since farming them don does not result in noise pollution or foul odors.

6. Snail farming isn’t as stressful and time-consuming as other forms of farming. You can keep your day job while conveniently running your farm.

7. Low mortality rates – snails posses little risk since they rarely fall ill. As a result, mortalities and mass disease infections are also low.

8. Snail farming requires less space compared to other livestock animals: Snail requires only a small area of land to start with. You can start snail farming from your compound as it is easy to combine with other normal schedules of activities and can easily be managed even by women and children.

9. The feeds are readily available and you can even produce it yourself

10. Their feeding materials are cheap and locally available.