Apple Snail Facts

Known as both an invasive species and a low-maintenance pet, the apple snail is the general name for the around 120 species in the family Ampullariidae. The yellow- to brown-shelled mollusks are characterized by their size, which makes them the largest of the world's freshwater snails.

  1. Habitat

    • These gastropods prefer warm climates.

      According to the Florida Division of Aquaculture, apple snails can be found in slow-moving freshwater in tropical and subtropical areas of South America, Central America the West Indies, the southern United States and Africa.

    Appearance

    • Apple snails can grow to the same size as a piece of fruit.

      As their name suggests, apple snails can grow to a size comparable to an apple. While most apples snails have round shells shaded yellow or brown, there are also varieties with white or blue shells, and their tissue can be yellow, black or gray.

    Characteristics

    • Apple snails eat a lot of soft vegetation.

      Apple snails have a short life span, which averages six months, according to the Tohoku Journal of Agricultural Research. They are herbivorous, although in cases of extreme starvation they can become cannibalistic.

    Pets

    • Apple snails are frequently kept as pets.

      Apple snails are popular in home aquariums for their algae-eating abilities and their appearance.

    Pests

    • Apple snails can damage rice fields.

      The spread of apple snails as an invasive species can cause damage to water-based crops, particularly to taro plants and rice fields. The introduction of the nonindigenous apple snail has made it a pest in southern China, Cambodia, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, New Guinea, the Philippines and Thailand.