The Giant African Land Snail (GALS), scientifically known as Achatina fulica, is one of the largest and most invasive terrestrial snail species in the world. Here’s a detailed overview:
🐌 Overview
- Scientific Name: Achatina fulica
- Common Name: Giant African Land Snail
- Origin: East Africa (especially Kenya and Tanzania)
- Size: Up to 20 cm (8 inches) long and 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter
- Lifespan: 5–10 years in captivity
🌱 Habitat and Diet
- Habitat: Tropical and subtropical climates; thrives in humid environments
- Diet: Herbivorous—feeds on a wide range of plants, vegetables, and even paper or plaster (due to its calcium content)
- Calcium Requirement: Requires calcium for shell growth, often sourced from soil, bones, or concrete
🚨 Invasive Species Alert
- GALS is considered one of the top 100 worst invasive species globally (IUCN).
- It spreads quickly and can decimate crops and native plant species.
- Each snail can lay up to 1,200 eggs per year, enabling rapid population growth.
🦠 Health and Agricultural Risks
- Agricultural Damage: Eats over 500 different types of plants.
- Human Health Risks: Can carry the rat lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), which can cause meningitis in humans.
- Quarantine Laws: Many countries (like the U.S. and Australia) have strict laws prohibiting the import or possession of these snails.
🐚 Pet Trade and Care
- Sometimes kept as exotic pets due to their size and unique appearance.
- Care Needs:
- Warm, humid environment
- Calcium supplements for shell health
- Clean enclosure and a varied plant-based diet
🌍 Interesting Facts
- Their shells coil to the right (dextral).
- Active mostly at night or in moist conditions.
- Can hibernate in dry or cold conditions by sealing their shells with a layer of mucus.
Would you like information about how to care for one, where they’re legal, or their role in ecosystems?