Giant, toxic snails invading more parishes (1 Viewer)

[Dan in Lafayette]

Giant, toxic snails invading more parishes

Big, slimy, and toxic -- the apple snail is likely taking over a lake near you.

www.wbrz.com

DENHAM SPRINGS - Big, slimy, and toxic—the apple snail is likely taking over a lake near you.

"They probably floated around with flood waters. Hurricane Isaac moved them, the 2016 floods moved them, and I have a feeling this current flood will expand them into some areas that might not have them," said Rob Bourgeois, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator.

Originally introduced as a pet for aquariums in 2006, the snail can now be found in 28 parishes across the state. Being in Louisiana you might look at these and see a delicacy ready to be cooked in butter, but Bourgeois says not so fast.

I have never seen one or the eggs, but I am seldom in their habitat. Has anybody run into them? Below is a map to the parishes they have spread to.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

If those eggs are planted/attached at the waterline,I’ve seen them in city Park

 

[mikaloyd]

Still better than Falcons fans

 

[Dan in Lafayette]

Still better than Falcons fans

Atta, boy!

 

[GrandAdmiral]

Still better than Falcons fans

We oughta send some to Turd Town as a "peace" offering.

 

[GrayMatter78]

I get them all the time during the summer here in Lafourche.

 

[gboudx]

I’m pretty sure “Rob Bourgeois, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator” used to post here as Rob Beaux.

 

[Madmarsha]

My girlfriend married a few.

 

[Dan in Lafayette]

I’m pretty sure “Rob Bourgeois, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator” used to post here as Rob Beaux.

I believe you are correct. He has not visited the site in two years though.

 

[BigOdin504]

If those eggs are planted/attached at the waterline,I’ve seen them in city Park

The shells are all over the lagoons in city park around the coterie forest.

 

[Stealth Matrix]

The shells are all over the lagoons in city park around the coterie forest.

Can't say I've seen the eggs but the snail shells are freaking everywhere in the section behind pan America

 

[mikaloyd]

You have to pay extra for that in some places

 

[Dago]

You have to pay extra for that in some places

Will they put them somewhere other than your face?

Asking for a friend

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

Can't say I've seen the eggs but the snail shells are freaking everywhere in the section behind pan America

shells are also in the coterie -- my littlest loves finding them - we've probably got 10 on the mantle would have more but the wife keeps 'losing' them

 

[Bayouboy]

Widespread here in the river parishes. They even ended up in the ditch behind my house and it's quite a ways to the canal that the ditch drains to.

If my memory serves me right, they have lungs and gills where they can survive in or out of water. Eggs have to be outside of the water for them to hatch. Very invasive. Eats vegetation like a truck driver. Unfortunately, they are here to stay.