Dep't Of Agriculture Warns Of Arrival Of Giant African Land Snails In U.S.

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 15: Dr. Trevor Smith, Florida Department of Agriculture, picks up a Giant African land snail as he works on eradicating a population of the invasive species in Miami-Dade County on September 15, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The Giant African land snail is one of the most damaging snails in the world because they consume at least 500 different types of plants, can cause structural damage to plaster and stucco, and can carry a parasitic nematode that can lead to meningitis in humans. The snail is one of the largest land snails in the world, growing up to eight inches in length and more than four inches in diameter. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)