Quck answer
Giant African Land Snails have invaded South Florida once again. These snails are a threat to agriculture, as they feed on over 500 types of plants and carry a parasite that can cause meningitis in humans. The snails are also known for damaging buildings and homes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is working to eradicate the snails through a program that involves trapping, baiting, and using sniffer dogs to locate the snails. It is important for residents in the affected areas to report any sightings of the snails to help with the eradication efforts.
Wildlife
Giant African land snails have returned to South Florida, posing a threat to the environment and human health. The invasive species (Lissachatina fulica) were confirmed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on June 23, 2022, in Pasco County. The presence of the snails was first reported by a master gardener. FDACS placed the area under quarantine six days later to contain and treat the snails. The invasion is believed to have originated from the illegal pet trade, according to a FDACS public information director who spoke to CNN.
What Makes Giant African Land Snails a Problem?
Giant African land snails are considered one of the most invasive pests in the world, capable of consuming over 500 different plant species. Besides wreaking havoc on Florida’s agriculture and natural areas, they can cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments. The snails pose a risk to human health as well, as they can carry a parasite known as rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis. Human infection can occur if raw or undercooked snails infected with the parasite are consumed. Contaminated produce, such as lettuce, can also cause illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns against handling the snails without gloves and recommends washing fresh produce thoroughly to prevent infection. The snails are illegal to own, import or sell in Florida without a permit, due to their harmful impact on the environment and human health.
Giant African land snails are named for their massive size, as they can grow up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) in length. Their shells are light to dark brown with vertical stripes. In comparison, typical Florida snails grow between 1 and 1.5 inches (2.5 and 3.8 centimeters) in length.
The giant African land snail is native to East Africa but is now found in several other regions, including the Caribbean, Brazil, and northernmost Argentina. It was first detected in Havana, Cuba, in 2014 and has spread rapidly across the island. A population was discovered in Costa Rica in 2021. The snails can survive in various environments, but they require calcium to thrive. They typically live between three and five years, but some can live up to nine years.
During a short span of time, giant African land snails reproduce quickly. These snails possess both male and female sexual organs, yet require mating to produce eggs. After mating, one snail can lay eggs for nearly 380 days and produce between 400 to 1,000 eggs annually. The snails bury the eggs in cool soil and when the eggs hatch, the juvenile snails consume their eggshells and then stay underground for a maximum of two weeks. If adult snails encounter unfavorable conditions, they can hide in the soil and remain dormant for up to a year.
Florida has had previous encounters with giant African land snails, first discovered in 1969 and eradicated in 1975. The recent eradication took 11 years, from 2011 to 2021, with FDACS working alongside the USDA and K-9 detector dogs to locate and eliminate 168,538 snails from 32 areas in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The battle now continues in Pasco County.
To limit the spread of this latest snail influx, Florida has placed Pasco County under quarantine, making it illegal to remove plants, yard waste, debris, compost, or building materials from the area without permission. The quarantine extends to a radius of approximately half a mile from the identified snail population and may expand if more snails are discovered.
FAQ
1. What are Giant African Land Snails?
Giant African Land Snails are a species of snail that can grow up to 8 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter. They have a brown shell with dark stripes and are native to East Africa.
2. Why are they invading South Florida?
Giant African Land Snails were introduced to Florida in the 1960s as pets, but they quickly became an invasive species. They reproduce quickly and can eat a wide variety of plants, which makes them a threat to agriculture and the environment.
3. What are the risks of Giant African Land Snails to humans?
Giant African Land Snails can carry parasites that can be harmful to humans, such as rat lungworm. In addition, they can damage buildings by eating plaster and stucco.
4. How are authorities trying to control the invasion?
Authorities in South Florida are using a variety of methods to control the Giant African Land Snail population, including setting up snail bait stations, conducting surveys to find and remove snails, and using trained dogs to sniff out snails.
5. What should I do if I find a Giant African Land Snail?
If you find a Giant African Land Snail, do not touch it. Report it to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services immediately.
6. Can Giant African Land Snails be kept as pets?
No, it is illegal to keep Giant African Land Snails as pets in the United States.
7. How can I prevent the spread of Giant African Land Snails?
You can prevent the spread of Giant African Land Snails by not releasing them into the wild and reporting any sightings to the authorities. In addition, clean any equipment or vehicles that may have come into contact with snails to prevent their spread.
8. Are there any natural predators of Giant African Land Snails?
There are no natural predators of Giant African Land Snails in Florida, which is why they have become such a problem.
9. How long will it take to eradicate Giant African Land Snails from South Florida?
It is difficult to predict how long it will take to eradicate Giant African Land Snails from South Florida. However, authorities are working hard to control the population and prevent their spread.
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