Invasive Apple Snails Lay Thousands of Egg Masses in Man-Made Louisiana Canal

Thousands of egg masses were discovered in the culvert, prompting authorities to issue a warning that invasive apple snails may be emerging from a man-made canal in Louisiana.

Thousands of Egg Masses in Man-Made Louisiana Canal

The underwater apple snails have deposited hundreds of egg masses stuck to nearly every culvert or pipe along the West Esplanade canal and rock after rock in outfall canals in Metairie.

Taylor Terrebonne, a neighbor from Metairie, claimed to have seen them recently when driving up and down Esplanade specifically.

Dr. Erica Boyle, a different neighbor in Metairie, claimed that the invasive snail problem has gotten significantly worse since the snails have been present for a year.

It is incredible to see that many egg masses in a man-made canal, according to Michael Massimi, the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program's coordinator for invasive species and marine programs.

In Gretna's drainage basin in 2006, he discovered the state's first apple snails.

Effects on Ecosystem and Human Health

The South American apple snail, according to Massimi, was probably purchased for aquariums in private homes before being thrown, where it could proliferate.

A thousand tiny apple snails that mature to be the size of an apple can hatch from each clump of eggs. Additionally, they disrupt the ecosystem and damage the land by consuming aquatic plants.

According to Massimi, when waters become murky and turbid, sunlight cannot enter them, and algal development results, which fish and ducks don't like.

There is now no effective method to control the invasive snails that won't also damage the water and other wildlife, such as crawfish, but a bird might be able to help.

As per Massimi, the Limpkin is a new species of apple snail predator. A brownish-wading bird eats apple snails out of hand, that may therefore have some effect on this population.

While discarded shells can create fantastic costumes, Massimi cautions that the eggs contain a neurotoxin, so it's best to avoid touching these snails. They are harmful if eaten raw and carry the parasite known as the rat lungworm.

A doctor's neighbor in Metairie is worried because of this.

Boyle claimed that the four or five little children who come out here at a time do not comprehend the dangers of playing with them or the toxins they carry and further said that the white egg cluster has hatched. It will take two weeks for the pink eggs to hatch.

Invasive South American Apple Snails

Apple snails have a thick, dark-banded shell that ranges in color from golden yellow to brown. They are among the biggest freshwater snails, usually reaching heights of two to four inches.

The biggest shells can be as long as six inches.

The snails lay their eggs over the water line despite spending most of their lives underwater. Bright pink egg clusters are visible on vegetation as well as hard surfaces, such as pilings or culverts.

There are around 500 to 700 eggs in each cluster. Every five to 14 days, females can lay a fresh cluster and feed on a wide range of aquatic plants, both natural and introduced.