The giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica) has once once more become a threat on the coast of the United States, following some specimens were found in the south of the country.
After a long battle to eradicate this invasive and potentially dangerous species, it was declared eradicated from South Florida last year, but live specimens were found in June by a gardener in Pasco County, north of that entity.
This finding is the first to be detected long time out of South Florida.
To contain the invasion, authorities quarantined a portion of Pasco County; under which no plants, yard waste, debris, compost or construction materials can be legally removed without permission.
This species was first discovered in the United States, specifically in Hawaii in 1936, and then in mainland Florida in 1966.
However, giant African land snails are not unknown in North Carolina, as authorities warned in the early 1990s that this species viscose from snails was illegally imported into several states.
In 1992, two of these snails were seized at a Wilmington pet store by Department of Agriculture inspectors. In addition to these, two other Banana Rasp snails were shipped to Sam’s Pet Exchange in Charlotte.
According to the Department of Agriculture, these types of snails are “one of the most invasive pests on the planet.”
What can cause the snail
The giant African land snail can carry the rat lungworm; a parasite that causes meningitis in humans and animals.
They usually hide in cool, moist places during the day. and they feed at night and lay thousands of eggs during their lifetime.
The authorities recommend not touching these types of animals. Some of these animals can grow up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) long and 5 inches (nearly 13 centimeters) wide.
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