Giant+African+Snail

Giant African Snail //Achatina fulica//
 * Phylum:** Mollusca
 * Class:** Gastropoda
 * Location:** Native to East Africa. Introduced to Asia, Carribean, and both Pacific and Indian oceans.
 * Size**: The Giant African Snail never stops growing, until it dies of course. It usually reaches about 8 inches in length.


 * Description of Habitat:** The Giant African Snail enjoys humid, forest areas.


 * Male/Female differences:** The Giant African Snail has both male and female reproductive organs. It can reproduce without a partner and lay 5 clutches of eggs per year with each clutch containing up to 200 eggs.
 * Interesting facts:** During period of extreme drought, it will go to aestivation which is a "summer sleep." It will seal itself inside its shell to retain water up to 3 times a year. Giant African Snails reach there adult size by the time they are 6 months old although they never stop growing. The giant african snail is considered an invasive species outside of its native land.


 * Life cycle:** Giant African Snails are active during the night and spend the day time safely buried underground. They are a solitary animal.
 * Living Requirements:** They are herbivores that eat leaves, vegetables, fruit, and flowers. Preyed upon by wild cats, birds, and humans.


 * Human impact:** The Giant African Snail has been eradicated in the U.S where it was considered to be an invasive species. Otherwise, there is low human impact and there future conservation status is of low concern.

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