When Giant House-Eating Snails Attack


Photo: Bobbi Zimmerman/AP

Forget zombie invasion! There's something scarier attacking Miami, Florida, slowly right now. Reeeeal slow. Behold the invasion of the Giant African Land Snails:

They can grow to be 10 inches long. They leave a slimy trail of excrement wherever they go. They harbor the microscopic rat-lung worm, which can transmit meningitis to humans. And they will literally eat your house.

"They'll attach to the side of the house and eat the stucco off the side of the house," Gaskalla says. The snails are also attracted to garbage and pet food that's been left out.

Read more over at NPR's All Things Considered: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/17/140540662/miami-invaded-by-giant-house-eating-snails

Newest 5
Newest 5 Comments

Yeahhh...edible? Self-correcting problem! Big, abundant, and free...

Help the homeless in your community! (frankly, I'd bet if you cleaned them and made soup, you wouldn't be able to tell it from clam chowder. A mollusk is a mollusk, when it comes down to it. Maybe some fashionista can design highly popular 'green' faux-tortoise-shell accessories from the shell, too.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I was going to say the same as binc - they are edible, waste not want not!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2009/jul/03/african-land-snails-video

They'd need careful handling when alive/raw if there's a parasite risk, but proper cooking kills parasitic worms (in any meat, not just snail!).
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I live on Kauai, and we have those all over the Pacific islands. The story is that during WWII, the military put them on many, many islands thinking that when the US Armed Forces advanced through the Pacific theater of operations the snails would be a ready food source. Even the Marines refused that offer, said pass the Spam, and we're stuck with Snailzilla.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.




Email This Post to a Friend
"When Giant House-Eating Snails Attack"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More