A remarkable sight unfolded at a crowded beach in Destin, Florida, when a black bear was spotted swimming among beachgoers on a sunny day in June. The incredible footage captured by Chris Barron shows the bear emerging from the ocean to the astonishment of the nearby people. Witness the shocking scene for yourself!
In another wildlife-related news, an unwelcome intruder in the form of an invasive mollusk species has prompted the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDCAS) to issue a quarantine order for a community in Broward County, Florida. The officials have announced that the city of Miramar, located in the Miami suburb, will be placed under quarantine to combat the spread of these snails.
The quarantine prohibits the movement of giant African land snails or any regulated articles within or from the defined quarantine area without a compliance agreement. The FDCAS, in a press release on June 20, stated that the snails were first reported in June, triggering increased survey and subsequent treatment of the area. Treatment will involve the use of a metaldehyde-based molluscicide, approved for residential use.
To effectively target the snails, two specific areas within the larger quarantine zone will be treated with snail bait. Despite their seemingly harmless name, giant African land snails pose a significant threat to the environment. The FDCAS’s website emphasizes that they are one of the most destructive snail species globally, devouring over 500 types of plants. Not only do they wreak havoc on agriculture and natural habitats in Florida’s tropical and subtropical regions, but they can also penetrate and damage materials such as stucco. Moreover, these snails carry the rat lungworm parasite, which can cause meningitis in humans.
Adult giant African land snails vary in size from two to eight inches and display a range of colors. While it is forbidden to own them as pets, collector interest is piqued by their impressive size and unique hues. This is not the first time that Florida has had to confront these creatures. The FDCAS reports that the giant African land snail has been eradicated twice before in the state. The first instance occurred in 1969 and was successfully eradicated by 1975, while the second instance required a decade-long eradication effort before the snails reappeared in 2021.
If anyone suspects an encounter with a giant African land snail, it is advised to email a photo to [email protected]. However, it is crucial not to handle these snails without protective gloves. The FDCAS stresses that these snails reproduce rapidly, with females capable of laying up to 1,000 eggs at a time and producing up to 2,500 offspring per year.
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