The Largest Land Snail on Earth

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Everyone thinks that snails are these little slimy creatures you have to be careful not to step on, There are also large snails and the largest land snail on earth is the Giant African snail. It is large when compared to other snails and grows to be 8-inches long. To have an idea about the size of this snail, its size is the average adult's fist, They are very big eaters and feed on at least 500 different kinds of plants. These snails also enjoy vegetables or fruit and might even snack on the stucco or paint on houses,. The most important feature of the anatomy of this snail is in its mouth. The structure is like a tongue known as the radula and has small teeth that helpt the snail to scrap food while eating it. They tuck into their shells for warmth and comfort when the weather gets too cold, The snails are active mostly at night and stay dormant during the day. The Giant African snail is native to Africa and can be found from Mozambique to Kenya and Somalia, It has been introduced to other parts all over the world. The snails also make their home in Australis, the Caribbean islands, Hawaii, and other regions such as those of Asia,. In the U.S. it is illegal to keep a Giant African snail at a pet since it is considered to be one of the most invasive species in the world and has caused damage to crops in states such as Idaho, Georgia, and Florida. And you can imagine how quickly these snails can spread across the land when they produce between 100 - 500 eggs and once the eggs hatch the snails are not cared for by the parents but are off on their own. Therefore the plants and crops they encounter along the way are a good food source for them.