Giant African Land Snail Introduction

Lissachatina Fulica is a species of large land snail that belongs in the family Achatinidae. It is also known as the Giant African Snail or Giant African land Snail. This snail species has been considered a significant cause of pest issues around the world.

Internationally, it is the most frequently occurring invasive species of snail. Outside of its native range, this snail thrives in many types of habitat in areas with mild climates. It feeds voraciously and is a vector for plant pathogens, causing severe damage to agricultural crops and native plants. This snail is listed as one of the top 100 invasive species in the world.

The species is native to East Africa, but it has been widely introduced to other parts of the world through the pet trade, as a food resource, and by accidental introduction. The adult snail is around 7 centimetres (2.8 in) in height and 20 centimetres (7.9 in) or more in length. The Giant African Snail is a herbivore and eats a wide range of plant material, fruit, and vegetables. It will sometimes eat sand, very small stones, bones from carcasses and even concrete as calcium sources for its shell.

In rare instances the snails will consume each other. In captivity, this species can be fed on a wide range of fruit and vegetables, plain unseasoned mince or boiled egg. They can also occasionally be fed cuttlefish bone, which is commonly used as a calcium source for healthy shell growth. It requires about 18.28% of crude protein in its diet for optimal growth.