![]() While the snails in Miami-Dade County had grey-colored flesh, the snails in Pasco County have white flesh, said Chitty. It wasn’t until 2021 the population was fully eradicated. In 2011, a population of the pests was discovered in Miami-Dade County. This is not the first time Florida has dealt with an invasion of giant snails. Easily coming in at number one is the Australian Trumpet, which is a huge sea snail that is. “It is a comprehensive and extensive process.” The 9 Largest Snails In The World 1: Australian Trumpet. “The goal is to eradicate” the snails, said Chitty. Residents who think they have spotted a giant African land snail are advised to call the FDACS hotline and avoid touching the snail without gloves on due to the meningitis risk.Īccording to Chitty, FDACS plans to spend three years eradicating the population in Pasco County, using the pesticide metaldehyde to treat the soil. The quarantine took effect June 25 and prevents residents from moving the snail or related items, like plants and soil, in or out of the designated quarantine area. The snails are native to east Africa and can grow up to 8 inches long. If the owners discard them into the wild or accidentally lose them, they can quickly establish a foothold, feeding on over 500 different plant species and even consuming the paint and stucco off houses as a source of calcium.Ĭhitty said the department is currently investigating the population and determining how many snails are in Pasco County. But some exotic pet owners still keep the invasive pests. ![]() Giant African land snails are illegal to own as pets in the United States. Customs and Border Protection via AP) APĪn invasive snail species was discovered in luggage at the Atlanta airport thanks to a pair of beaglesĪccording to Chitty, the population in Pasco County likely originated from the illegal pet trade. Customs and Border Protection's "beagle brigade," sniffed out the two Giant African Snails in the luggage of a passenger arriving at Atlanta's airport from Nigeria. Customs and Border Protection shows two Giant African Snails that were seized at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
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