Invasive Giant African Snails Gives Florida Nightmares

Giant African Snails that can grow as big as 18 centimeters have burrowed in deep and far in Florida much to the chagrin of its residents and authorities.

After a decade-long effort to eradicate the snails in the 1960s, Florida authorities embarked on a $ 10 million mission in 2011 to rid the state of the snails. The snails however continue to thrive. They moved to neighboring counties after their first reappearance in Miami four years ago. Agriculture experts acknowledge that the snails' population is increasing even as they express concern, for the gastropods are a threat to humans, animals and agriculture, according to TIME.

"The fact is they're a human and animal health threat and they're a threat to Florida's agriculture. We can't let the population continue," Florida State Agriculture Department Spokesperson Mark Fagan told Discovery News.

Discovery News further reported that the snails are consume as many as 500 species of plants. They become a health hazard to humans and other species when they consume infected rat feces as they can then cause a rare form of meningitis. Giant African Snails are also known to eat stucco off houses.

Experts say that chemicals exist to kill the slimy invader but the snails evade eradication efforts by climbing trees or burrowing deep into the ground. They reemerge after months of hibernation.