GALS By The Numbers
September 5, 2012
The index below demonstrates the threat posed by the presence of the giant African land snail in Miami-Dade County and the progress that has been made toward the eradicating the pest from Florida since its discovery in September 2011. The snail has been detected in 18 core areas; a core is a one-mile arc drawn around a find. Look for regular updates on the GALS program. We welcome comments and inquiries.
Giant African Land Snail by the Numbers
As of August 30, 2012
September 8, 2011: Date the giant African land snail was discovered in Miami
500: Number of agricultural crops known to be consumed by the snail
8” x 4”: Maximum size attained by the species
Nine: Maximum years in life span of individuals
1,200: Number of eggs an adult can lay in one year
78,000: Number of GALS found since September 8, 2011
18: Current number of core areas where the snail has been found in Miami-Dade County
350: Number of properties on which snails have been found
36,105: Number of properties within a ½ mile arc of positive properties
Nine +: Number of years it took to eradicate the snail after it was found in Florida in 1966
17,000: Total number of snails collected in the 1966-1975 eradication program
$1 million: Cost of that eradication (in 1960s dollars)
2.6 Million: Estimated expenditure since Sept. 8, 2011 on the current eradication effort
One: Number of successful GALS eradication programs on record
1-888-397-1517: Number of the Division of Plant Industry toll-free helpline
SOURCE: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry.
