About Giant African snails
Th Giant African snail is originally from Eastern Africa. It has now spread to Asia, the Americas, Europe, and most Pacific countries. It is a tropical snail but can survive cold conditions by hibernating.
Giant African snail – Fact sheet [PDF, 322 KB]
Why they’re a problem for New Zealand
The Giant African snail is a herbivore with a big appetite. It has been recorded as attacking over 500 different kinds of plants including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. They are a serious risk to New Zealand's environment, primary industries, and human health.
How it could get here
The snail could sneak into the country on imported plant material, shipping containers, machinery, or motor vehicles. Its eggs could get carried in soil associated with imported goods.
Containers and cargo from high-risk countries are inspected on arrival in New Zealand.
How to identify the Giant African snail
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Adult snail size and colour
Giant African snails are large. Their shell size is usually 5cm to 10cm but can be up to 30cm long and can reach 10cm in diameter. The shell colour is usually light brown with alternating brown and cream bands on young snails and the upper whorls on larger snails.
Eggs shape, size, and colour
Giant African snail eggs are round to oval, around 5mm in diameter and cream to yellow in colour. Their eggs are laid in batches of 100 to 400.
If you think you’ve found a Giant African snail
- Photograph it.
- Capture it (if you can).
- Freephone 0800 80 99 66.
Note that this snail can also carry and transfer human disease. It is advisable to wash hands after handling these snails.
