Giant African Snail

Giant African Snail Latest News

Recently, the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has launched a special project to eradicate African snails (Lissachatina fulica) following a request from the Agriculture department.  

About Giant African Snail

• It is the common name for several large African land snail species.  The most damaging of these pests is Lissachatina fulica.
• It is one of the world’s worst invasive species.
• It is native to East Africa but it has been widely introduced to other parts of the world through the pet trade, as a food resource, and by accidental introduction.
• Habitat 
  • It thrives in warm tropical climates with mild temperatures all year round and high humidity.
  • It is found in agricultural areas, coastal areas and wetlands, natural and planted forests, riparian zones, scrublands and shrublands, and the urban zones.
• Diet : Mature, adult snails generally feed on decaying organic matter, including garbage, fallen fruit and animal manure.
• Key Features
  • It is a hermaphrodite.
  • Adult snails are very large with a long, narrow, cone-shaped shell.
  • The shell is usually light brown with darker brown vertical stripes.
• Health Impact: The snails can carry the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans.

Source: TH

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