Apple snails are large freshwater snails known for their round, apple-sized shells and appetite for plants.
Native to South America and parts of the US, they’ve become an invasive species in many parts of the world — including Africa and Asia — causing serious environmental and agricultural problems.
They thrive in warm, wet environments and reproduce quickly, laying clusters of bright pink eggs just above the waterline.
Each cluster can contain hundreds of eggs, making population control difficult once they spread.
Apple snails are highly destructive to rice and other wetland crops. They feed on young seedlings, reducing yields and damaging livelihoods. Their presence also threatens native aquatic plants and disrupts ecosystems.
Some species can carry parasites that are harmful to humans, such as rat lungworm, making them a potential public health concern.
