They can reach reproductive age in as little as five to six months and live nearly decade. The state is struggling to contain an invasion of the giant African land snail, a species that thrives in hot and wet tropical climates. There doesn't seem to be much appeal to keeping this animal as a pet, and it's illegal to do so in the United States. In the wild, Giant African Land Snails are known to eat up to 500 different species of plant. Achatina fulica, the giant African land snail, is originally from the coastal areas and islands of East Africa. Though they mate to reproduce, adults have both male and female sexual organs. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Despite their slow, slimy appearance, they are fragile and extraordinary to get close to. Basic Care for Giant African Land Snails. This is often why snails suffering shell damage appear to be uninterested in any calcium supplied. GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL. T he most significant time period for the Giant African Snail to cause destruction to a given area is when it is first established. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. The most important point is that Giant African Land Snails need to have a source of calcium available at all times. The snail lives in countries ranging from Mozambique in the south, to Kenya and Somalia in the north. Broken/Chipped Shell. A species profile for Giant African Snail from USDA, National Invasive Species Information Center. Giant African Land Snails are native to East Africa, but they have adapted to many other countries, as they are an invasive species. The inside of the tank can also be wiped with a damp cloth every few days to remove any slime or dirt that has accumulated. These invasive snails are considered to be one of the most damaging species of land snails--they feed on over 500 kinds of plants and are a serious threat to Florida's agriculture, natural areas, and landscapes. Since they target so many types of plants, crops are ravaged in areas such as Florida. Come and see our giant African Land Snails in the ‘Disscovery Zone' (only open at set times throughout the day). Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. You should thoroughly clean the tank at least once a month - or more regularly depending on the size and amount of snails … If you are in any way concerned about health risks posed by snails then seek advice from a medical practitioner. The snail lives in countries ranging from Mozambique in … While the giant African land snail might seem like a fun exotic pet to keep, it's considered one of the most invasive pests in the world. Part of the threat the Giant African Snail poses is its ability to reproduce rapidly, giving new meaning to the expression “at a snail's pace." Here you will find everything you need to know about keeping and caring for your pet snails, as well as all the latest snail news, and our own personal blog posts.