Apple Snail (3-4 cm)

An apple snail refers to any large freshwater gastropod mollusk within the family Ampullariidae. Known for their globular, apple-sized shells, these tropical organisms possess a unique dual-breathing system consisting of both a lung and a gill.

Unique Biology

Dual Breathing: They possess both a gill on the right side and a lung on the left side to survive in oxygen-poor waters.

Breathing Siphon: They use a long, snorkel-like tube to breathe air at the surface while remaining submerged from predators.

Separate Sexes: Unlike most common snails which are hermaphrodites, apple snails are gonochoristic (they require distinct male and female partners to reproduce).

Bright Pink Eggs: Females climb out of the water to deposit distinctive, bright pink, calcareous egg clusters to protect them from aquatic predators.

The Invasive Threat

When introduced outside their native South American habitats, apple snails quickly become massive agricultural and ecological pests.

Toxicity: Their bright pink eggs contain a potent neurotoxin and should never be touched with bare hands.