Giant African land snail
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We heard you wanted to see a picture of a simply enormous snail. So here it is:
This massive beast is Achatina achatina, the giant Ghana snail: native to the forests of Ghana. Their shells grow to a length of 18cm with a diameter of 9cm, however, Wikipedia suggests that certain examples have been surveyed in the wild at 30x15cm, making them the largest extant land snail species known. These snails and others related to them are sometimes a right pest when they are introduced outside their native range, eating crops and even gnawing the stucco off buildings. However in the West they make popular pets, apparently. Though probably not amongst lettuce-enthusiasts. Video of Gary the giant snail taking a shower after the jump… [youtube]GCF3NKKatjw[/youtube]
A beautiful species. Truly magnificent. But unlike other exotic species that are captured for pets and later discarded they should be left in the wilds of Ghana where they belong. We simply don’t need more alien species upsetting the proverbial apple cart.
bill:www.wildramblings.com