From Alternative health Newsmagazine

Snail Farming
Since information on raising edible snails is not readilyavailable in English, the information in this publication has beencompiled from numerous sources which are believed to be reliable. The information applies to several different species of snails, and not all of it necessarily applies to a specific species. Introduction
Snails have been eaten since prehistoric times. Roasted snailshells have been found in archaeological excavations. In ancient Rome,there were "cochlearia," gardens where snails were fattened up beforebeing eaten. Pliny described the snail garden of Fulvius Hirpinus 2000years ago as having separate sections for different species of snails.Hirpinus allegedly fed his snails on meal and wine. (But note, beer ina shallow dish is a way of killing snails and slugs.) The Romansselected the best snails for breeding. "Wall fish" were often eaten inBritain, but were never as popular as on the continent. Snails wereoften eaten during lent on the continent. In a few places, largequantities of snails were consumed at Mardi Gras or Carnival, as aforetaste of lent.Edible snails also played a role in folk medicine, and recentstudy has shown that glandular substances from the edible snails causeagglutination of certain bacteria, and therefore could be of valueagainst whooping cough and some other diseases. Snails also hostparasites and disease organisms, however.Edible SpeciesThere are thousands of varieties of land snails, ranging in sizefrom very tiny ones about one millimeter long to the Giant Africansnail which occasionally grows up to a foot long. "Escargot" mostcommonly refers to either Helix aspersa or to Helix pomatia, althoughsome other varieties of snails are eaten, and the Giant African snail,Achatina fulica, is sliced and canned and passed off on some consumersas escargot.Helix aspersa, the French "petit gris," or "small grey snail,"the "escargot chagrine," "La Zigrinata," measures 30 to 35 mm acrossthe shell when mature. The shell of a mature adult has 4 or 5 whorls.It is native to the shores of the Mediterranean and up the coast ofSpain and France. It is found on most of the British Isles, where itwas introduced in the first century A.D. by the Romans. (Some say it goes back to the Early Bronze Age.) This variety was introducedinto California by French immigrants and has become a serious pest. Itwas introduced into a number of Eastern and Gulf states even before1850. It has also been introduced into other countries such as SouthAfrica, New Zealand, Mexico, and Argentina. Helix aspersa has a lifespan of 2 - 5 years. Helix aspersa is more adaptable to differentclimates and conditions than many snails, and is found in woods,fields, sand dunes, and gardens. This adaptability not only increasesaspersa's range, it makes farming aspersa easier and less risky.Helix pomatia, the "Roman snail," "apple snail," "luna," "LaVignaiola," the German "Weinbergschnecke," the French "escargot deBourgogne" or "Burgundy snail," or "gros blanc," measures about 45 mmacross the shell. It is native over a large part of Europe and livesin wooded mountains and valleys up to about 6,000 feet (2,000m)altitude as well as in vineyards and gardens. It may have beenintroduced into Britain by the Romans. It has been introduced into theU.S. in Michigan and Wisconsin by immigrants. Helix pomatia ispreferred by many over Helix aspersa for its flavor and its largersize, as the "escargot par excellence."
A comprehensive article on snail farming is published in Alternative Health Newsmagazine Nigeria’s premier news portal on the AH industry (November 2008 edition). You can obtain the edition and subscribe by calling The Editor on 07031040178 or mail: ebogenius@yahoo.com