State Warns Floridians To Watch For Giant African Land Snails

[Champ]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Agricultural officials want Floridians' help in eradicating any giant African land snails that may have invaded the state because the pest is a threat to people and plants.

The snails, which grow up to 8 inches long, have been found recently in Midwestern pet stores and schools, which did not know the animals' dangers, the Florida Department of Agriculture said Wednesday.

"We must quickly determine whether these giant African land snails are already in our state and if so, eradicate them as quickly as possible," Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said.

The snails can carry a parasite that causes a type of meningitis that can be spread through eating the mollusks or being infected by their secretions. The snails are also known to eat at least 500 different types of plants, officials said.

http://www.wftv.com/newsofthestrange/3297946/detail.html

[Pithlet]

1. Yikes!

8 inches long. :scared: And meningitis :scared:

[arwalden]

2. Picture Here... Not YET An Adult

[Pithlet]

3. Actually, it doesn't look as bad as I pictured.

The shell is pretty. Edit: but the adults sure are gross.

[ZenLefty]

10. Here's the adult

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/animal-zone/Snails.htm

[leftistagitator]

7. That's really cool

I'd like to have some of those in a terrarium. Well, if it wasn't for the disease and environmental devastation.

[drb]

4. Well, the real question about those giant Florida....

...land snails is this: "Did they get out of the draft because of an anal cyst?"

[ForrestGump]

5. This just in: chilling photos from Miami

::::::WARNING!!!::::::

EXTREMELY GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW!!






A giant snale eviscerating a west Palm Beach gentleman on Tuesday evening. At least, we hope that's whgat's going on...









South FL's long been an ecological disaster area. If you're talking invasive/alien species, they've got it (snowbirds included).

[Hand]

6. There's a Jebbie joke in here somewhere... nt

[ForrestGump]

8. With apologies to the writers of "Trading Places"...

Look at that Esso Car Go!

[Champ]

9. I'm kicking my article

:kick: