The state of Florida has spent a lot of money to eradicate the giant African land snail.
They are slimy again.
On June 23, officials confirmed that a giant African land snail was found in New Port Richey in Pasco County, which is located on the west coast of Florida.
The giant African land snail can grow up to 8 inches long and lay thousands of eggs at a time that can go on to hatch and wreak havoc.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the giant African land snail is one of the most damaging snails in the world. The snails could cause a lot of damage to the environment.
The snail feeds on paint and stucco for calcium and poses a threat to infrastructure.
The public is warned not to handle snails without gloves because they can carry a disease called rat lungworm.
In 1969 the giant African land snail was found in Florida. In Miami-Dade County it was found again in 2011. The snail hadn't been found in the state in over a year.
It is against the law to remove plant materials or soil from the area where the snail was found. Officials are using a metaldehyde-based molluscicide, or snail bait, to survey for more specimen in the Quarantine Zone.
A rescue dog named Melon is being used to survey the area. A dog is trained to sit when it senses a giant snail.
It's not clear how the snail ended up in Florida, but officials suspect it could be the result of a lost pet. Giant African land snails are not allowed to be imported into the US.
A major threat to Florida's agriculture is invasive species. The pythons, iguanas, and lionfish have been able to spread in Florida because they found a home. Florida is a key location in the world reptile trade and serves as the point of entry for most plants imported to the US.
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