Florida is witnessing an invasion of a giant type of snail, which can reach the size of a mouse, and has severe damage to humans, agricultural crops and the environment.
The heavy guest forced the Florida authorities to take decisions to prevent the transportation of plants, soil, field waste or construction residues outside their places of residence, for a period of two years.
Local authorities confirmed that the animal settled in Port Richey on June 23, which was “agricultural isolation” the next day, according to the British newspaper, “Daily Mail”.
The snail feeds on more than 500 different plants, and multiplies very quickly, as one individual lays about 1200 eggs per year.
The members of this animal are characterized by the presence of male and female genitalia, meaning that one individual can reproduce alone.
In addition to its damage to plants, snails carry a parasitic worm that can be transmitted to humans and cause meningitis.
These animals were first spotted in southern Florida in the 1960s, and it took about 10 years and $1 million to rid the area of them.
It is difficult to eliminate the snail because it has no natural predatory enemies, and one can live up to 9 years until its length exceeds 20 centimeters.
The authorities launched a campaign to eradicate the snail last week, using an insecticide called “metaldehyde”, which is used to control snails and slugs.