Deadly snails - the size of rats - have sent a town in the USA into quarantine, as authorities struggle to get rid of the killer pests.
The species, native to Africa, were discovered in an area in Florida where authorities issues out urgent alerts to residents, reports the Daily Star.
The invasive species of land snail, native to Africa, can carry the parasite lungworm which can cause life-threatening effects and cause meningitis in humans.
On June 23, 2022, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) confirmed the detection of the giant African land snail in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County.
The area was quarantined the following day.
As part of the lockdown rules, locals were banned from moving plants, soil, debris, yard waste, compost and building materials located outside the designated zone in order to stop the spread.
"The giant African land snail is one of the most damaging snails in the world and consumes at least 500 different types of plants," said the FDACS.
The killer snail could have posed serious impact on the neighbourhood if it was not removed immediately.
It has been reported that local agriculture and natural areas could be affected, with concerns they could cause severe damage to tropical and subtropical environments.
The African snail species were first found in Florida in 2011 and has caused authorities to stump up $10.8 million (£8.9 million) in costs so far.
The mammoth snails are known to reproduce quickly - and can make around a whopping 1,200 eggs in a year.
Because they don't have any natural predators, they are hard to get rid of, reports Metro.
They can live up to nine years and grow to be eight inches in length, which is around the size of an adult hand.
The US Agriculture Department started the treatment process in the area in Florida last week, and used a pesticide called metaldehyde.
