TIL about the existence of the "Cannibal Snail", a species of snail described as a "fast and voracious predator" which eats other snails whole or sucks them out of their shells

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euglandina_rosea

It's considered invasive in Indian and Pacific Ocean islands, and is native to the United States. Much to my surprise, there's no mention of Australia!

Be safe out there 💀🗡️🐌

227 points · 10 comments · view on lemmy.world

10 Comments

Cris_Citrus@piefed.zip · 25 pts · 22d

"Assassin snails" are common in the aquarium trade because some snails reproduce really fast and can become a pest sorta taking over a tank (these include Malaysian trumpet snails, pond/bladder snails, and ramshorn snails)

So people get assassin snails to keep their numbers in check (first image is from a YouTube thumbnail talking about them, hence the caption and giant arrow 😅)

Suck_on_my_Presence@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 22d

There was something in Hawaii I believe that was harming a bunch of native species, so they brought in the assassin snail to target the other snail killing everything else. Buuuut the assassin snail instead decided the local species were easier and more delicious. Shocking

skeptomatic@lemmy.ca · 11 pts · 22d

A species that eats its young needs to procreate faster than consumption.
That's why Elon says citizens need to breed.

Deebster@programming.dev · 8 pts · 22d (2 replies)

That elongated, streamlined shell made me assume this was a joke or hoax at first.

reseller_pledge609@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 9 pts · 22d (1 reply)

Why do you think it's so fast? That long, aerodynamic shell really helps.

YerLam@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 22d

"Well, o'course it was nailed there! If I hadn't nailed that bird slug down, it would have nuzzled up to those bars, bent 'em apart with its beak, and VOOM!"

Aneb@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 22d (1 reply)

I must be high. I read that as cannabis snail. And I was thinking of a snail that crawls on your skin and causes a high effect

Tm12@lemmy.ca · 11 pts · 22d

BlueEther@no.lastname.nz · 7 pts · 22d
victorz@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 20d

Look at that aerodynamic shell, bro. This allows the snail to go much faster than a regular-shell snail.