An invasion of African Giant Snails in southern Florida is causing alarm due to the potential devastation of crops, introduction of disease, and “general yuckiness”?!
The giant snails (up to 20cm long) are well suited to invasion because they are generalist feeders and are extremely prolific, laying approximately 1,200 eggs per female/year. One Miami resident recalls collecting almost 600 of them in her garden over the course of a week.
How did these unwelcome immigrants arrive in Florida? The exact mode of entry is not known, but an investigation is currently underway.