Strogg999
New member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2009
- Messages
- 20
- Reaction score
- 6
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- Location
- Manchester, England
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Display Name
- Ed
Hi,
I've noticed that several posts recommend feeding slugs/snails to axolotls. However when formulating diets for other species (mammals) I've always tried to steer clear of these because they take in environmental toxins from their surroundings, which has implications for both wildlife, and people. Zinc, cadmium, lead, and copper can all be taken up by land snails and slugs, and this is how certain toxins bio-magnify, and move up the food chain. I know they are often used as a useful biological tool by researchers to assess soil pollution. Is this something taken into account when using them as a food source, i.e. are they best used only if they are well away from industrialised areas, or better and safer if they are avoided completely ?
Ed
I've noticed that several posts recommend feeding slugs/snails to axolotls. However when formulating diets for other species (mammals) I've always tried to steer clear of these because they take in environmental toxins from their surroundings, which has implications for both wildlife, and people. Zinc, cadmium, lead, and copper can all be taken up by land snails and slugs, and this is how certain toxins bio-magnify, and move up the food chain. I know they are often used as a useful biological tool by researchers to assess soil pollution. Is this something taken into account when using them as a food source, i.e. are they best used only if they are well away from industrialised areas, or better and safer if they are avoided completely ?
Ed