Pila virescens is often sold in Europe under its old but invalid zoological name, as “Pila polita” and commonly called Asian apple snail here. It is said to be native to Indonesia (source), Vietnam (source) and other Southeast Asian countries (source).
The shell of this apple snail can be yellow to brown in colour and reach diameters of up to eight centimetres. It is a separate sex and may be kept and sold in the EU. But it is not only because of its size that its acquisition should be carefully considered. It also eats living plants.
Pila virescens is crepuscular and nocturnal. During the day it likes to hide between plants or bury itself in the substrate. It can be fed with blanched vegetables, pellets or flake food. It likes Chinese cabbage as well as leaves and roots of some Monstera or Epipremnum species.
Categories: Water Snails | Molluscs
