Giant African land snails take over Florida

The Giant African land snail is one of the most damaging snails in the world because they 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. An effort to eradicate the snails is being launched.

You can see the giant African snail's true size when shown next to a quarter. Most snails do not even reach the size of the 25-cent piece.

Giant African land snails can vary in size, as seen in this collection displayed Friday, Sept. 30, 2011 in Miami.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced it has positively identified a population of the giant African land snails in Miami-Dade county on September 15, 2011. The snail is one of the largest land snails in the world, growing up to eight inches in length and more than four inches in diameter.

These snails do not have any natural enemies in the Florida area and can easily mass produce without any trouble.

These snails are hermaphrodites, and all have male and female organs. Each mollusk can lay 1,200 eggs a year creating massive population booms.

These snails are believed to be originally from West Africa, but are believed to often come over to the United States from the Caribbean or Hawaii in luggage or food.