African giant snail (Lissachatina fulica)

African giant snail (Lissachatina fulica) is a species of mollusk in the family Achatinidae. These snails possess shells that can be either dextral (coiling to the right) or sinistral (coiling to the left); they can reach heights of up to 7 cm and lengths of 20 cm or more. Their coloration varies significantly, depending largely on their diet.

The shell of L. fulica is conical, with a height approximately twice its width. It is generally brown in color and possesses a very robust structure. This species is even capable of accumulating heavy metals within its shell.





The eggs are pure white and opaque, though they may occasionally appear slightly yellowish or even somewhat translucent. Each egg has a thin, calcareous shell and measures 5 mm in length by 4 mm in width. Upon hatching, a snail’s shell is 5–5.5 mm long and consists of 2.5 whorls. As the snail grows, the shell expands—whether dextrally or sinistrally—adding more coils and whorls.

Young snails exhibit a vertical pattern on their shells, characterized by a blend of brown and cream colors. As the snail matures, newly formed whorls appear smooth and glossy, typically in a solid brown hue. Adult snails generally possess shells with 7–9 whorls. Shell coloration is highly variable; some individuals may have a buttery-yellow body, which contrasts with the more common brownish-gray body color paired with a brown shell.

This species thrives in warm, tropical climates, characterized by mild temperatures year-round and high humidity. They inhabit a wide range of environments, including agricultural areas, coastal zones, wetlands, natural forests, shrublands, and urban settings. During the dry season, they become inactive to avoid direct sunlight. They can survive at a temperature of 2°C by hibernating, remain dormant at 30°C, and stay active between 9°C and 29°C (Dewi, 2010).

This species feeds on a variety of plants, fruits, vegetables, paper, cardboard, and the carcasses of rats and birds. Occasionally, they also consume sand, stones, bones from carcasses, or even concrete as a source of calcium for shell formation.

Each individual possesses both testes and ovaries, capable of producing sperm and eggs, although self-fertilization rarely occurs. Sperm received from a mate can be stored within the body for up to 2 years. On average, a single snail produces 200 eggs per clutch, laying eggs 5–6 times a year, with a hatching success rate of 90%.

They reach adulthood within 6 months; thereafter, growth slows down but does not cease entirely until the animal dies. Their lifespan can reach 10 years. They are nocturnal, spending the daylight hours hidden underground. In conditions of extreme drought, they are even capable of surviving for up to 3 years.

TAXON

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Infraclass: Euthyneura
Subterclass: Tectipleura
Superorder: Eupulmonata
Order: Stylommatophora
Suborder: Achatinina
Superfamily: Achatinoidea
Family: Achatinidae
Subfamily: Achatininae
Tribe: Achatinini
Genus: Lissachatina Bequaert (1950)
Species: Lissachatina fulica Bowdich (1822)

SYNONYMS

Achatina acuta Lamarck (1822)
Achatina couroupa Lesson (1830)
Achatina fasciata Deshayes (1831)
Achatina fulica Bowdich (1822)
Achatina fulica fulica
Achatina mauritiana Lamarck (1822)
Achatina mauritiana sinistrorsa Grateloup (1840)
Achatina rediviva Mabille (1901)
Achatina zebra macrostoma H.Beck (1837)
Helix fulica Férussac (1821)
Lissachatina fulica Férussac (1821)

PUBLICATIONS

Fontanilla, I. K. C. (2010). Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica Bowdich: its molecular phylogeny, genetic variation in global populations, and its possible role in the spread of the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen). PhD thesis, University of Nottingham. 634 pp.

VERNACULAR NAME

Arabic: الحلزون الأفريقي العملاق
Catalan: Caragol gegant africà
Chinese (Simplified): 褐云滑胚玛瑙螺 - 非洲大蜗牛 - 褐云玛瑙螺
Chinese (Traditional): 褐雲滑胚瑪瑙螺 - 非洲大蝸牛
Czech: Achatina žravá
Danish: Afrikansk kæmpesnegl
Dutch: Afrikaanse reuzenslak, Grote agaatslak, Reuzen­-agaatslak
English: African giant snail, Giant african land snail, Giant east african snail
Finnish: Akaattikotilo
French: Achatina, Achatine, Escargot géant africain
German: Große Achatschnecke
Hebrew: שבלול ענק אפריקאי
Hindi: विशाल अफ़्रीकी घोंघा
Hong Kong: 褐雲光滑瑪瑙螺
Indonesian: Bekicot
Italian: Chiocciola gigante
Japanese: アフリカマイマイ
Java: Bekicot
Korean: 아프리카달팽이 - 아프리카왕달팽이 - 왕달팽이
Lithuanian: Didžioji afrikinė sraigė
Macao: 褐雲光滑瑪瑙螺
Malaysia: Siput babi
Portuguese: Caracol-africano, Caramujo Gigante Africano
Russian: Ахатина гигантская
Slovak: Achatina žravá
Spanish: Caracol Gigante Africano
Taiwan: 非洲大蝸牛
Thai: หอยทากยักษ์แอฟริกา
Turkish: Dev Afrika Salyangozu
Ukrainian: Ахатина велетенська

Aryo Bandoro
Dlium TheDlium
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