Giant African snails invade Florida

Giant African snails invade Florida, The Florida Department of Agriculture issued an alert this morning about a new foreign invader threatening the state's plants and residents -- giant snails.

The Giant African land snail, to be exact, has been spotted in Miami-Dade County. It's the species' first appearance here since the 1960's.

According to state officials, the snail is a threat because it can consume at least 500 different types of plants, can cause structural damage to plaster and stucco, and can carry a parasitic nematode that can lead to meningitis in humans.

Achatina fulica, as it is scientifically known, is one of the largest snails in the world, growing up to 8 inches long and more than 4 inches in diameter. Each snail can live as long as nine years and contains both female and male reproductive organs.

The snails are originally from East Africa but the species has established itself throughout the Indo-Pacific Basin, including the Hawaiian Islands. The snails have also recently popped up throughout the Caribbean.

Giant African land snails are illegal to import into the United States without a permit and currently, no permits have been issued.

The last reported outbreak of the snail in Florida occurred in 1966 when a boy smuggled three of the snails into Miami as pets. The boy's grandmother released the snails into her garden and, seven years later, more than 18,000 snails were found.

It cost more than $1 million and took 10 years to successfully eradicate the pest from Florida, state officials said -- the only known successful such attempt.

Anyone who believes they may have seen a Giant African land snail or signs of its presence should call the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 888-397-1517 to make arrangements to have the snail collected.