Factors affecting the hatchability of snail eggs (Archachatina marginata) in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

A study to investigate the factors affecting hatchability of Archachatina marginata eggs, had 600 eggs collected from snail pens and incubated in treated substrates; moist soil/sawdust mixture (MSD), sawdust (MD), soil (MSb), dry (DD) (DS) as well rearing (1 m × 1 0.8 m) containing (MSp). Results showed that egg weights  at  laying  ranged  from  250  to  1100  mg  (mean  of  670±247  mg).  Egg lengths widths ranged 13.0 16.00 mm (mean 14.88±0.94 mm) 9.00 - 11.00 10.80±1.02 respectively. Snail MSD MD 64.0±4.8 61.5±3.9%, respectively were better (p<0.05) than MSp (50.5±4.4%) MSb (45.5±3.5%) among media which hatched. Dry Incubation (DS DD) 0% hatchability. Best was between 50 70% humidity.  Embryonic  mortality  showed  a  reverse  trend  with  (36.0±4.8%) (38.5±3.9%) recording significantly  lower values (49.5±4.4%) (54.5±3.5%). temperature 17 20°C duration ranging 22 35 days. Correlated analysis revealed a weak significantly positive relationship (r=0.097) weight negative (r=-0.234) embryonic mortality. Therefore, could be with humidity 80%, at temperatures higher weights are most recommended for incubation. Key words: Temperature, humidity, hatchability, mortality, eggs.