Florida is currently dealing with a new pest: the Giant African Land Snail. This Giant African Land Snail poses a threat to the crops of Florida. They eat over 500 different species of plants, including almost everything grown in Florida! They also eat cement and rat feces. The rat waste gives them rat lungworm, which can cause meningitis. Humans can contract meningitis by just touching the snails. Scientists were able to find out that the snails were carriers of meningitis by testing a couple of the snail samples. They are concerned about humans coming in contact with these snails. Many insist that people who believe they have an infestation call a snail exterminator who has a safe way of handling them. They hope to eliminate the snails, but it will take a long time and a lot of hard work.
NOS Themes:
1. Science is Collaborative- Many scientists had to test the snails for disease and had to come up with a safe way of capturing the snails.
2. Science is Based on Evidence- There is statistical proof of the snail population and scientific evidence proving that the snails can carry meningitis.
ws.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130417-giant-african-land-snail-florida-invasive-science-animals/
Lexi Reed, Hour 2 Gabel
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