“Giant African snail” is the
common name used to describe
several foreign snail species
that could become serious
agricultural pests in the United
States. The most important giant
African snail is Lissachatina
fulica (formerly Achatina fulica ).
The Giant African Snail
Scientists consider L. fulica to
be one of the most damaging
land snails in the world. It is
known to feed on at least
500 different types of plants,
including peanuts, beans, peas,
cucumbers, and melons. If
fruits and vegetables are not
available, they will eat a wide
variety of ornamental plants, tree
bark, and even paint and stucco
on houses.
L. fulica is established
throughout the Indo-Pacific
basin, from east Africa to
Hawaii and Guam, including
the Southern Asian region. This
mollusk has been introduced
to several Caribbean islands
including Anguilla, Antigua,
Aruba, Barbados, Cuba,
Dominica, Dominican Republic,
Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles,
Marie-Galante, Martinique, Saint
Lucia, Saint Martin, and Trinidad.
It is also widespread in several
South American countries and,
in 2016, was reported in Spain
for the first time.
Pest Alert
Giant African Snails
Florida and the Giant
African Snail
In 1966, a Miami, FL, boy
smuggled three giant African
snails into South Florida upon
returning from a trip to Hawaii.
His grandmother eventually
released the snails into her
garden. Seven years later, more
than 18,000 adult snails were
found, along with thousands of
eggs. It took 10 years and cost
$1 million to eradicate the pest
in Florida.
In September 2011, a resident
of Miami found a snail and
contacted the Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer
Services. This action resulted
in the State’s second giant
African snail detection. The
U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and Florida have
invested several million dollars
since this second detection,
and work continues today to
eradicate this pest.
Description/Life Cycle
Reaching almost 8 inches
(20 centimeters) in length and
5 inches (13 centimeters) in
diameter, L. fulica is one of the
world’s largest land snails—
about the size of an average
adult fist. When fully grown,
its shell consists of seven to
nine whorls, with a long and
greatly swollen body whorl. The
brownish shell with darker brown
lengthwise stripes covers at
least half the length of the snail.
Each snail contains both
female and male reproductive
organs. After a single mating,
each snail can produce 100
to 500 eggs. These snails can
reproduce several more times
without mating again. They can
generate clutches of eggs every
2 to 3 months.
Although this species thrives in
tropical and subtropical areas,
it can survive in cold conditions.
In winter in the Northern United
States, the snail would become
slow and sluggish, almost
hibernating until warmer
weather returned.
Figure 1. A mature Lissachatina fulica maneuvers in its environment.
Figure 2. A penny is used to show the size of giant African snail eggs.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Plant Protection and QuarantineDistribution
Like other invasive pests and
diseases, giant African snails
can hitchhike into the United
States on imported cargo.
People are also known to bring
snails into the country illegally
to keep as classroom exhibits
or pets or to use as food or for
ceremonial purposes.
Damage
Giant African snails cause
extensive damage to crops and
plants in tropical and subtropical
areas. These snails are also
known to carry organisms that
can cause diseases in humans
and livestock. People can get
sick from ingesting improperly
cooked snail meat or by handling
live snails and then touching
their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Control
Because of the potential damage
these snails can cause, they are
illegal in the United States. If you
have a giant African snail, do not
release it into the environment
or give it away. Instead,
immediately report it to your
State department of agriculture
or to the USDA Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) office in your State.
For a list of APHIS offices,
go to www.aphis.usda.gov/
planthealth/sphd.
Learn More
For more information on giant
African snails, visit the APHIS
website at www.aphis.usda.gov/
plant-health/gas.
Figure 4. Shell of an immature giant African snail. Figure 3. Giant African snail infestation on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Figure 5. USDA technician holds giant African snail shells found during a pest survey.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
APHIS 81-35-009Issued July 2004Slightly revised May 2018
