Samoan Land Snails Identification Guide

Samoan Land Snails Identification Guide

(data last revised 29 June 2001)

Use this image-based identification guide to help identify Samoan land snails.

Distribution:	Tutuila, Ta'u.
Natural Range:	Southeastern USA.
Status:	Introduced.
Habitat:	Lives in damp places in both disturbed and undisturbed areas; generally on the ground but will climb trees.
Adult Size:	Height up to about 6 cm; width, about 2 cm.
Identification:	Readily distinguished by its large size-only Achatina fulica is larger-and its slender pinkish shell.
Remarks:	This carnivorous snail has been widely introduced throughout the tropics and subtropics for control of the giant African snail, Achatina fulica. Although there is no good evidence that it has provided effective control of A. fulica, despite claims to the contrary, there is ample evidence of its devastating effects on native land snail faunas, especially in the Pacific. It will even go under water to attack freshwater snails. It was first introduced to the Samoan Islands in 1980. By 1992 it appeared only to have reached Tutuila and Ta'u, but it has probably been a major contributor to the decline of native snail populations on those islands. It may still be expanding its distribution in the Samoan Islands and is probably able to survive at all elevations.