An invasive snail known as the apple snail, which is known to be deadly to humans and a disaster for wildlife, has entered North Carolina.
“Apple snails are native to South America, and this is the first known population of apple snails in North Carolina,” the NCWRC said.
Apple snails often carry parasites, posing a deadly threat to humans who come into contact with the invasive gastropods.
If eaten raw or undercooked by humans or animals, apple snails can transmit rat lungworms that attack the brain, which can also lead to meningitis.
The snail’s egg masses also contain toxins that can cause skin and eye rashes.
Apple snails also have a catastrophic impact on an area’s ecosystem — their herbivorous habits can destroy plants used by many native aquatic species.
Egg masses can contain thousands of individual eggs.
“Female snails lay eggs as often as once a week, allowing populations to grow and spread rapidly once established,” NCWRC warns.