Giant African Land Snail achatina Achatina achatina

Giant African Land Snail achatina
Giant African Land Snail achatina
This is one of several species of large snail known as the Giant African Land Snail (with "achatina" in their genus name), all from Africa south of the Sahara, this one also called the Giant Ghana Land Snail and Giant Tiger Land Snail. It is native to West Africa (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria). It is invasive in many other countries.
Giant African Land Snail achatina
Giant African Land Snail achatina
Giant African Land Snail achatina
It is the largest species of snail in the world, the shell growing typically to 20cm long and 10 cm diameter but can grow as large as 30cm long and 15cm diamenter. The tan shell usually has dark "tiger" barring. The body is dark grey or brown-grey.
Giant African Land Snail achatina size compared corn cob
Giant African Land Snail achatina
Giant African Land Snail achatina
It is mainly nocturnal and eats a wide range of mainly plant material. Like many snails, it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite (but self fertilisation is extremely rare). It can multiply rapidly with some 1200 eggs/year (up to 300 per clutch). They live 5-10 years and are eaten as a delicacy locally.