are all GALS illegal in america?

[Deleted]

is it just Achatina fulica? or is it the whole Achatina genus? what about Archachatina? surely they can't ban all the species. I don't understand why pet shops etc. haven't imported a species that is legal to have.

[coyote]

AFAIK, all GALS species are illegal in the US unless you have a special permit (which you have to justify by being in research or being a naturalist of some sort).

[Deleted]

but what does giant african land snail actually mean? is it every species in the Achatinidae family? what about say Metachatina kraussi, Burtoa nilotica, Lignus, Columna, Pseudachatina etc.

[Kevin]

I would think it would be all of them, the usda would probably class them all as invasive. Its a similar situation in the UK with Crayfish, all species other than one tropical species are banned for sale, because some could establish here, and already one species has caused the one native species to decrease in numbers, even though many others are tropical, and allowed to be kept in most, or all other parts of Europe.

[Deleted]

maybe americans could keep Megalobulimus...

[coyote]

I'm fairly certain that all of them ,across the board, are illegal.

When I was looking into it myself I didn't research every last possible species, but I read enough to get the sense that none of them are going to be allowed here, because they are all invasive, non-native species.

There is a huge problem in San Francisco Bay with invasive, non-native marine snails edging out native snails in the mudflats and marshes around the Bay. The non-natives arrived in expelled ballast water taken on by ships in their native waters and set up thriving colonies undetected until they were too large to eradicate.

Since agriculture is such a crucial part of the economy of most of the regions in the US, any plant or animal species that poses a threat to the crops if it gets loose is going to be banned by the Federal government.

[Deleted]

Jun 23, 2008 21:16:20 GMT coyote said:

I'm fairly certain that all of them ,across the board, are illegal.

When I was looking into it myself I didn't research every last possible species, but I read enough to get the sense that none of them are going to be allowed here, because they are all invasive, non-native species.

There is a huge problem in San Francisco Bay with invasive, non-native marine snails edging out native snails in the mudflats and marshes around the Bay. The non-natives arrived in expelled ballast water taken on by ships in their native waters and set up thriving colonies undetected until they were too large to eradicate.

Since agriculture is such a crucial part of the economy of most of the regions in the US, any plant or animal species that poses a threat to the crops if it gets loose is going to be banned by the Federal government.

what u mean all non-native snails in general?

i don't see why these can't be state-by-state laws. like i doubt GALS could establish themselves in montana or alaska etc.

[coyote]

You are correct about states such as Montana and Alaska, but sadly many US laws are not based on logic.

I'm fairly certain that all non-native snails have restrictions on their access into the US. Even H. aspersa -- in some areas it is illegal to keep them as pets.

[Deleted]

awww i think its a shame all those people are excluded.

are exotic pets in general popular in america? like stick insects, millipedes, etc?

[Kevin]

I know lots of stick insects are banned in America, Ive read on an american forum of people actually having species taken from them to be destroyed, I think its not always clear whats banned and what isnt there? millipedes may also be banned, but from what ive read they are still sold and kept there.

[coyote]

Snakes and lizards are the most popular non-mammal pets in America, from what I can tell. Fish are popular too, and hermit crabs are kind of a fad with children.

But snails are the coolest of all, AFAIC. ;D

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2008 19:39:48 GMT coyote said:

But snails are the coolest of all, AFAIC. ;D

agree ;D

[coyote]

Wile looking up something else, I happened to find this information on wikipedia about restrictions on snails in the US:

The same snails that some people raise or gather as food also are agricultural pests that cause considerable crop damage. Introduced slug and snail varieties tend to be worse pests than native species, probably due in part to the lack of natural controls. Snail pests attack crops ranging from leafy vegetables to fruits that grow near the ground, such as strawberries and tomatoes, to citrus fruits high up on trees.

The Federal Plant Pest Act defines a plant pest as "any living stage (including active and dormant forms) of insects, mites, nematodes, slugs, snails, protozoa, or other invertebrate animals, bacteria, fungi, other parasitic plants or reproductive parts thereof; viruses; or any organisms similar to or allied with any of the foregoing; or any infectious substances, which can directly or indirectly injure or cause disease or damage in or to any plants or parts thereof, or any processed, manufactured, or other products of plants..." The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) categorizes giant African snails as a "quarantine significant plant pest." The United States does not allow live giant African snails into the country under any circumstances. It is illegal to own or to possess them. APHIS vigorously enforces this regulation and destroys or returns these snails to their country of origin.

Since large infestations of snails can do devastating damage, many states have quarantines against nursery products, and other products, from infested states. Further, it is illegal to import snails (or slugs) into the U.S. without permission from the Plant Protection and Quarantine Division(PPQ) , Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. APHIS also oversees interstate transportation of snails. Anyone who plans to "import, release, or make interstate shipments of" snails, must complete APHIS's PPQ Form 526, Application and Permit to Move Live Plant Pests and Noxious Weeds. Submit the form to your State regulatory official. The state will process the request and make a recommendation to APHIS who will then make a decision.

Information on Plant Pest Permits is available at APHIS's web site [2].

Source

[Deleted]

oh ok i guess that explains it then. thanks

[ravenqueen]

The way I understand it is that the only specific species made illegal by the federal government is GALS. Obviously, transportation of other species can be illegal, but I think once you have most species (excluding GALS, of course) in your home, it is legal to have them. That is, of course, if they have not been banned in the individual state. For example, I can have pretty much any pet I want in Colorado, but there are very few pets one could have in California, purely based on individual state laws. Certain states are very lenient, even in regard to federal laws. For example, you can get just about anything you want in New Hampshire, even if it is against federal law. I found turtle hatchlings there, which are against federal law to sell.

[Kevin]

Jun 29, 2008 3:16:56 GMT ravenqueen said:

The way I understand it is that the only specific species made illegal by the federal government is GALS. Obviously, transportation of other species can be illegal, but I think once you have most species (excluding GALS, of course) in your home, it is legal to have them. That is, of course, if they have not been banned in the individual state. For example, I can have pretty much any pet I want in Colorado, but there are very few pets one could have in California, purely based on individual state laws. Certain states are very lenient, even in regard to federal laws. For example, you can get just about anything you want in New Hampshire, even if it is against federal law. I found turtle hatchlings there, which are against federal law to sell.

The name GALS can be used to describe any species within the Achatinidae family, even though many that are kept are quite small snails (Limicolaria species, iredalei, Lignus etc..)

Most people use GALS to describe Achatina fulica though, but I would think it would cover all the African species? it may be ok to keep Megalobulimus species I guess, that are also large and impressive. They are found in central and south america, once found out though maybe they also would be restricted, as they would be classed as just as much an invasive species as the African snails?

[coyote]

"Snails in the genus Achatina (e.g., Achatina fulica, The Giant African Snail), aquatic snails in the family Ampullaridae (e.g., Pomacea canaliculata, channeled apple snail), and Decollate Snails (Rumina decollata) are specifically prohibited for interstate movement or importation into the United States.

The Giant African Snail poses a threat to both humans and plants. It is not only strictly prohibited from entering the United States but is confiscated when discovered. For more information related to this risk, see the USDA Pest Alert for Wisconsin and CDC Fact Sheet on Angiostrongylus Infections.

One species complex of the family Ampullaridae, Pomacea bridgesii may receive a permit for interstate movement for sales in the hobby trade because these snails are not known to be agricultural pests. They are primarily algae feeders and sometimes are beneficial for ponds and aquariums."

Source

[coyote]

"There are several species of exotic snails considered to be serious pests of plants and threats to public health. Recent information suggests that one or more of these species in the giant African snail group are being sold in pet stores or traded by exotic animal dealers. The origin of these snails is likely through illegal importation. The purpose of this pest alert is to ask the for public's assistance in identifying these snails and to convey the importance of reporting the existence of these snails in the United States. If the snails were to become established in the general environment, they could cause serious damage to plants, both in urban settings and in the natural landscape. They also may carry a parasite that can infect people.

Scientists consider the giant African snail, Achatina fulica, to be one of the most damaging snails in the world. It is known to eat at least 500 different types of plants, including breadfruit, cassava, cocoa, papaya, peanut, rubber, and most varieties of beans, peas, cucumbers, and melons. Believed to be originally from East Africa, A. fulica has established itself throughout the IndoPacific Basin, including the Hawaiian islands. This mollusk has also been introduced to the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Recently, A. fulica infestations were detected on Saint Lucia and Barbados. The island of Saint Martin has been infested since 1995. It is believed that the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, became infested shortly thereafter.

In 1966, a Miami, FL, boy smuggled three giant African snails into south Florida upon returning from a trip to Hawaii. His grandmother eventually released the snails into her garden. Seven years later, more than 18,000 snails had been found along with scores of eggs. The Florida State eradication program took 10 years at a cost of $1 million."

Source

[Deleted]

Jun 29, 2008 19:52:10 GMT coyote said:

"Snails in the genus Achatina (e.g., Achatina fulica, The Giant African Snail), aquatic snails in the family Ampullaridae (e.g., Pomacea canaliculata, channeled apple snail), and Decollate Snails (Rumina decollata) are specifically prohibited for interstate movement or importation into the United States.

..so you could import Archachatina, Metachatina, Lignus, etc. legally?

[Kevin]

Jun 29, 2008 20:38:36 GMT @lotsofsnails said:

Jun 29, 2008 19:52:10 GMT coyote said:

"Snails in the genus Achatina (e.g., Achatina fulica, The Giant African Snail), aquatic snails in the family Ampullaridae (e.g., Pomacea canaliculata, channeled apple snail), and Decollate Snails (Rumina decollata) are specifically prohibited for interstate movement or importation into the United States.

..so you could import Archachatina, Metachatina, Lignus, etc. legally?

according to that they would be then, I always thought that Archachatina's may not be as invasive a threat there as Achatina's, it may consider them all to be classed together though? even though all those are seperate genus's?

[coyote]

It is likely that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture is not familiar with all the various species of non-native giant land snails kept as pets, so the wording in those documents is not going to include a full checklist of every possible species. I think they are using the specific A. fulica snail as their "poster child," as it were, to illustrate their point.

But the intent of the meaning is clear: "The Federal Plant Pest Act defines a plant pest as "any living stage . . . of . . . slugs, snails, . . . which can directly or indirectly injure . . . or cause . . . damage in or to any plants or parts thereof . . . "

IMO, just about any GALS species would fit that description.

[apple]

Kevin: Arch marginata is also considered an agricultural pest in USA.
As Coyote said I think that pratically any exotic specie is not allowed ( achatinidae or not).
However in certain circunstamces is possible to get a permission.

[coyote]

It's my understanding that such permission is given only to scientists, biologists, naturalists and the like, for study or research.