11 June 2004

Invasive species in the news

Non-native, invasive species can cause major problems. Consider the giant African land snail, a huge and impressive looking creature that can weigh up to 9 kilograms (20 pounds) and eat hundreds of different plant species. When leaves are not available, it will even dine on tree bark.

Recently officials seized several of the giant snails from a school in Wisconsin. They were being used in a science class.

Why is there so much concern about this giant snail? Besides its voracious appetite, the giant African snail can be a vector for certain diseases that can infect people.

The giant African land snail has become established in Hawaii. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a boy returning to Miami, Florida, from Hawaii in 1966 smuggled three of the giant snails to keep as pets. Later the snails were released, where they proceeded to multiply and spread. Florida officials spent more than $1,000,000 and seven years finding and destroying more than 18,000 of the giant pests. Forrest M. Mims III