The giant African land snail is one of the largest land snails in the world. Spread by people, it has become a serious invasive pest of crops and gardens in many tropical countries.
Interesting facts
- Each snail is both male and female.
- A single snail can lay over a thousand eggs a year.
- It eats more than 500 different kinds of plants.
- It can carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis in people.
- It is illegal to keep them as pets in the United States.
- In dry weather, they seal their shells and can stay dormant for months.
Behaviour
These snails are mostly nocturnal and feed on a huge range of plants. They hide in shady, damp places during the day.
Breeding and young
Snails mate and both partners can lay eggs, laying clutches of 100–400 eggs several times a year.
Threats and conservation
Not threatened; it is controlled as an invasive species.
Where to see it
- Coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania (native range)
- Gardens in parts of Asia and the Pacific (invasive)
- Report any sightings in areas where it is not established
- Wash hands after touching snails
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
