They are two completely different species despite the name similarity. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. If you have seen one of these snails please contact the FDACS helpline (888) 397-1517. Due to the risk of becoming a successful invasive species and being a serious agricultural pest, importation of giant African land snails into the United States is not permitted, and it is illegal to keep them as pets in the U.S. This snail species group is not only strictly prohibited from entering the U.S. but is safeguarded when discovered. Giant African land snails (GALS) could be devastating to Florida agriculture and natural areas because they cause extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments. As a result, a much smaller number of snails can eat a larger quantity of crops. In the United Kingdom, they are legal to keep as pets with a license, but if they are released, the former owner would be fined. Contact us. In many places, release into the wild is illegal. Any idea what I could find legally that would be comparable? My lifelog dreams were crushed … They have an average lifespan of about 5-7 years. Chicago. Civeyrel, L. and D. Simberloff. # 3. Plant Protection and Quarantine. I understand that the giant african land snail is illegal to own in the USA because people are afraid it could be an invasive species in Florida, but I can't find any information if the giant west african snail has the same restrictions. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Giant African Snail. 2007), Agricultural and garden pest; attacks and feeds on hundreds of different plant species (Civeyrel and Simberloff 1996; Thiengo et al. Identification Technology Program. Officials at LAX recently seized 67 giant African land snails-voracious pests that live long, breed fast, and pose a threat to U.S. agriculture. One of the most disruptive invasive species anywhere is the giant African snail, a large land snail that is native to East Africa. Gallery. Special supplements for pet snails and many other. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. It is known to eat at least 500 different species of plants. Invasive Species Compendium. Even animals like the alligator and crocodile monitor are legal in some states (which can both cause significant bodily harm) but a non toxic, non venomous, leaf eating snail is considered too dangerous to be kept as a pet. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension. See also: Regulated Organism and Soil Permits: Snails and Slugs. Giant African Land Snails are native to East Africa, but they have adapted to many other countries, as they are an invasive species. This would not be an issue for smaller snails, but this snail in particular is, as the name suggests, giant. In countries where they can be legally kept, they can make good pets, as they are relatively low maintenance and fascinating to watch. Ferez-vous la même chose ? Giant African Land Snails: Pests, Not Pets Contact: T.J. Bucholz (517) 241-2112 Agency:. A tale of two snails: is the cure worse than the disease? The largest of them can become 14-15 inches long. Well,you could try drowning them in a bucket of water.That will eliminate them.Not really humane in a … Rapid spread of an invasive snail in South America: the giant African snail, Achatina fulica, in Brasil. Keeping snails as pets or All you need to know about pet snails. Biodiversity & Conservation 5(10):1231-1252. PPQ. New arrival Quick View. The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. University of Georgia. Over the years, the Giant African Snail has been discovered in several states, from Arizona to Wisconsin, in cases where confined snails were in public exhibits or private collections. Federally Regulated: Snails in the genus Achatina (e.g., Achatina fulica, the Giant African Snail), are specifically prohibited for both interstate movement and importation into the U.S. USDA. When they have enough food, and the weather is satisfactory, they tend to live much longer. However, in some other countries they are legal as pets (although in some of these places it is illegal to release … They are considered one of the top 100 most invasive species in the world. Thiengo, S.C., F.A. Center for Environmental Research and Conservation. Achatina fulica (Bowdich 1822), formerly Férussac 1821 (CABI), Giant African snail (GAS), giant African land snail, kalutara snail, First introduced to Hawaii in 1936; first introduced to the continental U.S. in 1966 (Thiengo et al. If this petition get enough signatures, I will send a petition to the US Department of Agriculture. If the United States were to implement a similar strategy, people who have bad allergies to animals, such as cats, dogs, hamsters, mice, rats, guinea pigs etc. Snails in the genus Achatina (e.g., Achatina fulica, the Giant African Snail), are specifically prohibited for both interstate movement and importation into the U.S. Snails in the genus Achatina ( e.g., Achatina fulica, the Giant African Snail), are specifically prohibited for both interstate movement and importation into the United States. The reason is that the introduced snails mean an exceptional threat to agricultural areas in the subtropical states of the USA, such as Hawaii. The African giant land snails (Archachatina marginata, Achatina achatina and their family members) are delicacies in many African nations, especially the West African countries. There are fines of even prison sentences. ), National Invasive Species Information Center, Civeyrel and Simberloff 1996; Thiengo et al. The Giant African Snail poses a threat to both humans and plants. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. 2007). It is a highly invasive species, and colonies can be formed from a single gravid individual. It is true that they have enormous destructive potential and are serious agricultural pests, and they are indeed illegal in the United States and some other countries. Shop. USDA. In contrary to that in the United States it is illegal to keep giant African land snails.