Posted on 07/15/2015 9:59:11 AM PDT by nickcarraway
It might be time to salt the earth. Researchers are claiming Giant African land snails are spreading from South Florida and are carrying way more dangerous parasites then previously thought.
A recent U.S. Geological Survey published in Journal of Wildlife Diseases, says previous research on Giant African land snails grossly underestimated how many of them are carrying rat lungworm, a parasitic worm that burrows into humans and can cause meningitis.
USGS biologist and lead researcher Deborah Iwanowicz discovered the parasite increase by taking multiple tissue samples from the snails—as opposed to previous studies led by lazy scientists who only took one sample, from one part of the snail's body.
“Collecting just one additional sample per snail increased the number of snails testing positive for the rat lungworm by 13 percent," said Iwanowicz to the Washington Post.
Native to East Africa, the giant snails were naively introduced in South Florida as pets in 1966. According to the Washington Post, they were nearly eradicated back in the '70s, but are now making a resurgence in the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale areas.
Compared to Florida's long list of invasive species, the Giant African land snail is one of the most resilient. It can switch sexes and drop over 400 eggs a year. It can decimate crops by eating over 500 varieties of plants. And, it can lay dormant for a couple months if it has to.
Experts expect the snails to eventually move to other suitable states outside of Florida like Alabama, Virginia, California, Maryland, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Kentucky.
All hail our soon-to-be snail overlords.
The one you want for eating is Helix pomatia. Anything else is a waste of garlic butter.
These are not even in the same Family. They are about as closely related as marmosets and blue whales.
"Ceterum censeo 0bama esse delendam."
'La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur.' - Auguste Escoffier
(Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
LOL! Turn the machines back ON!
Are you sure about that? Plenty of material pointing to giant land snails being destined for dining tables.
It’s all part of the globalization of all creatures, large and small.
The small ones around here only appear at night. About half the size of a golf ball. So I imagine it’s tough for some critters to get them.
Hate the gd crunch when you walk on one!!!!!!!!!
Pour salt on a snail to kill it.
These African snails may indeed be eaten but that doesn't mean they're suitable for the dish we know as Escargot.
I have never eaten the African variety but tell you that there is a significant variation in the flavor and texture of different species of snails served in France.
Think of it the same way you would in choosing between different varieties mushrooms or hot peppers for a dish you are making.
"Ceterum censeo 0bama esse delendam."
'La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur.' - Auguste Escoffier
(Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
One more reason I like living in the Northeast.
.
Almost as bad as Debbie Wasserman Schultz!
presidunce
ground level saucers of beer work great in the garden.been using it for ever on the snails too
Do they not have salt in Florida?
Ah, gotcha. You were referring narrowly to the “French” comment as it relates to the practice of eating escargot.
I’m with you on that. I actually enjoy escargot but I’d find these giant cousins of their more than off-putting.
You have to slice them up small... it’s like fried clams. The resemblance to actual clams is tenuous at best.
Native to East Africa, the giant snails were naively introduced in South Florida as pets in 1966.
That is counter to what I read...that the snails were brought in by practitioners of Santeria. I also read Sluggo Snail Bait kills them...no Saiga 12’s necessary.
Hideous.
My great-uncle used to have to eat those. While in a Japanese internment camp in the Philippines during WW II.
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