Giant African land snail

gastropod

Also known as: Achatina fulica

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July 16, 2026

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The Giant African land snail (Achatina fulica) is a large gastropod, a type of land mollusk, native to Africa. It has been introduced to various regions, including Ceylon, the East Indian region, and the Pacific Islands.1

Gastropods, which include snails, exhibit a wide range of sizes. The African Achatina achatina is the largest land snail, with shells reaching nearly 20 centimeters (8 inches) in length. Most land snails are members of the subclass Pulmonata and typically live on or near the ground, feeding on decaying plant matter and laying eggs in the soil. They are found in diverse climates, from tropical islands to cold regions where they hibernate.23

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conservation
Pacific island birds
an African land snail, Achatina fulica, for food. It became a pest. So, like the song about the old woman who swallowed a fly, and then a spider to catch it, and so forth, a predatory snail, Euglandina rosea, was released to control the Achatina. The predatory snail preferred…
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an African land snail, Achatina fulica, for food. It became a pest. So, like the song about the old woman who swallowed a fly, and then a spider to catch it, and so forth, a predatory snail, Euglandina rosea, was released to control the Achatina. The predatory snail preferred…
Read More