Giant African Snails are the largest species of snails on the planet, with a shell that can grow up to 30 cm long and 15 cm in diameter.
Native to the tropical forests of Ghana, Africa, Giant African Snails live in tropical conditions, with no natural enemies. That, combined with the fact each snail can lay up to twelve hundred eggs per year, makes their large population, a problem. wherever a colony of these giant snails settles down, all other species of tree snails go extinct. Their insatiable appetite for any kind of plants and fruits, makes Giant African Snails pests, in their homeland. Just so you can get an idea, these things eat even the stucco and paint, buildings.
Like all snails, GAS are hermaphrodite and very prolific. Just one pair of snails can turn into an 8 to 10 billion colony, in their 5-7 year life span. Another half cycle like this, and we’re looking at 16 quadrillion giant crawlers. It’s a scary image, especially since they can bury themselves for up to 6 months, if the climate isn’t right for them
While they’re regarded as parasites, in Africa, in the Western World, Giant African Snails are some of the most coveted pets on the market, because of their intelligence and ability to reproduce sounds. Actually, I’m pulling your leg, people just like them because their huge, slimy and hard to come by.
Ok you guys are probably not going to believe me, but we actually have somewhat larger snails in my Aunt's backyard here in South India. They look very similar to these except maybe the shell is more rounder and doesn't taper this far out.
I know, pics or it didn't happen right? what can i say, maybe one of these days.
you are wrong to say they are regarded as parasites in Africa. They are mostly eaten as delicacies.
Hmmmm! Giants snails! Delicioso!
I don't know where they're eaten as delicacies, but they are great protein and can grow off of prepared coconut hulls, corn husks, or cassava stems, and don't have very many nutrient requirements to live (of course to get healthy meat, that's a little different, but you can still get a big fat snail without all the vitamins and minerals).
I recall several studies a few years back that investigated the potential for these snails to be farmed as a protein source in arid areas with variable quality of vegetation. Everything I saw looked really promising so I'm wondering what sidelined those projects.
i will just leave this here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwZ673FkGhY
I don't know where they're eaten as delicacies, but they are great protein and can grow off of prepared coconut hulls, corn husks, or cassava stems, and don't have very many nutrient requirements to live (of course to get healthy meat, that's a little different, but you can still get a big fat snail without all the vitamins and minerals).
I recall several studies a few years back that investigated the potential for these snails to be farmed as a protein source in arid areas with variable quality of vegetation. Everything I saw looked really promising so I'm wondering what sidelined those projects.
i will just leave this here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwZ673FkGhY
I’ve held one like this
The african ones are like that, I was like 7 when I held it so I cant remember what they’re really called.
I now feel really stupid after I noticed the title “giant african snails”
hurr derp
PlEASE HOW MANY EGGS CAN A GIANT AFRICAN SNAIL LAY AT A GO?
mmm what beauty foot