EFFECT OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF AFRICAN GIANT LAND SNAILS (ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA) REARED UNDER INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT DURING DRY SEASON

Abstract

Forty eight growing African Giant Land Snails (Archachatina marginata) between average weight of 400 to 600 grams were used to evaluate the effect of relative humidity and temperature on egg production. The experiment lasted for 20 weeks (December-April) with eight snails per cage. The temperature and relative humidity of the ambient environment of the snail cages were recorded in the morning and afternoon using Omsons dry and wet hygrometer. Higher average daily temperature (310C) was observed in the afternoon (12pm) compared with the 8am in the morning (220C) while, the average relative humidity (92%) was recorded in the morning 8am compared with (61%) in the afternoon (12pm). A zig-zig egg laying pattern was observed across all the cages throughout the experimental period which suggest that snails observed a break period in egg laying. Fluctuation in relative humidity and temperature had a great influence on egg production of A. marginata; for optimum egg production relative humidity of above 80% and temperature 25–300C are recommended. It was concluded that snails provided with high humid condition during dry season can attain optimum reproductive performance all year round under intensive management system.