Giant African Land Snail fulica Lissachatina fulica (Achatina fulica)

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 East African Snail, is native to Kenya and Tanzania but one of the most invasive snail species internationally.

One of the largest snails in the world, the shell grows to 20cm long and 7 cm diameter (the outstretched snail can be nearly double that length). The strong shell is slightly banded pale or mid-brown, tapering to a cone and contains a high heavy metal content improving strength.

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: there are some 200 eggs per clutch and 5-6 clutches/year. They live 5-10 years and can hibernate (aestivate) in extreme drought for up to 3 years.