In Africa and Nigeria in particular, there is a
growing interest in the rearing of land snail for meat and for sale (Omole,
2011). The commonest breed of African snails is the Archachatina marginata (Giant
African Land Snail), which has various names in the various Nigerian local
dialects (Osi in Jaw; Igbin
Apinu in Yoruba; Dodon kodi in Hausa; Ekpa in Nupe and
Egé in Igbo). It grows exceptionally large and has been known to reach
20cm in shell length; the adult being consistently bigger than the average
sized Archachatina fulica specimens.
growing interest in the rearing of land snail for meat and for sale (Omole,
2011). The commonest breed of African snails is the Archachatina marginata (Giant
African Land Snail), which has various names in the various Nigerian local
dialects (Osi in Jaw; Igbin
Apinu in Yoruba; Dodon kodi in Hausa; Ekpa in Nupe and
Egé in Igbo). It grows exceptionally large and has been known to reach
20cm in shell length; the adult being consistently bigger than the average
sized Archachatina fulica specimens.
According to Sogbesan and Ugwumba (2008), the meat
is highly nutritious containing 37.5% protein, has high iron content (45 to 59
mg/kg), low sodium (2.32g/100g) and fat (0.05-0.08%) contents. The meat is low
in cholesterol and is a source of vital minerals required for normal tissue
development and maintenance; and it is an ideal meat for diabetics and those
with vascular diseases such as heart attack, cardiac arrest, hypertension and
stroke (Funmilayo, 2008).
is highly nutritious containing 37.5% protein, has high iron content (45 to 59
mg/kg), low sodium (2.32g/100g) and fat (0.05-0.08%) contents. The meat is low
in cholesterol and is a source of vital minerals required for normal tissue
development and maintenance; and it is an ideal meat for diabetics and those
with vascular diseases such as heart attack, cardiac arrest, hypertension and
stroke (Funmilayo, 2008).
However,
snail meat (popularly called “Congo Meat”) is still a delicacy in most homes in
Nigeria; it is regarded as a form of bush meat or game meat to be eaten
occasionally instead of being a nutritious meat to be relished on a daily basis
just like the meat of other conventional livestock (Malik & Dikko 2009). Some ethnic groups even have superstitious
beliefs that discourage the eating of snail meat or the eating of certain
species of snail to the detriment of others.
snail meat (popularly called “Congo Meat”) is still a delicacy in most homes in
Nigeria; it is regarded as a form of bush meat or game meat to be eaten
occasionally instead of being a nutritious meat to be relished on a daily basis
just like the meat of other conventional livestock (Malik & Dikko 2009). Some ethnic groups even have superstitious
beliefs that discourage the eating of snail meat or the eating of certain
species of snail to the detriment of others.