Florida has been taken over by dangerous sticky pink blobs, which officials say can prove lethal to humans. They are urging people not to touch them with their bare hands, and instead to destroy them with protective shoes. Touching these pink clusters can cause infections, and residents should be especially careful not to touch them, as this can trigger problems when they touch their face. The warning was issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Authorities said that these vivid pink clusters are eggs laid by apple snails from South America that have spread across Florida. It is an invasive species that is posing problems for the ecological system of the state, and if their eggs are allowed to hatch, they can then damage crops and aquatic systems. Each mass contains 20 to 80 large pink eggs. Also Read: Scientists stumbled upon four pitch-black eggs 20,000 feet below ocean. They turned out to be…
Slime on pink eggs can cause problems
These pink eggs are coated with a slime-like substance which can carry parasites and other harmful bacteria. This is why people are being advised to stay away from these eggs and crush them if possible. The FWC also alerted that, “If they fall into the water, they will still hatch.” So, the only way to stop their growth is to crush the eggs. Apple snails are common in Florida, but it only has one of its own – the Florida apple snail. Four other species from South America have also made Florida their home. This includes, the island apple snail, channeled apple snail, spike-topped apple snail, and titan apple snail. According to a US Geological Survey, the pink eggs masses are common in central and southern Florida waterways, including Lake Okeechobee, the St. Johns River, and Everglades National Park. Also Read: South Korean caves are teeming with creatures with dragon-like features. They are completely blind
Deadly snail species in Florida
Right now, the snail species that has triggered warnings is the channeled apple snail. They can carry rat lungworm, a parasite that can trigger a rare but potentially deadly form of meningitis in humans. The danger becomes particularly potent when raw or undercooked snails are consumed by humans. The invasive snails have spread far and wide not only in Florida but also Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and parts of California. These snails have spread to 38 out of 67 counties in Florida and at least 29 different watersheds in just 12 years. They can grow up to six inches long and thrive on vegetation tht grows in water. Their eggs are easily recognisable as they have a distinctive bright pink colour. Over the years, their love for aquatic plants has disrupted the ecosystem as these greens feed native fish and birds, and are needed to maintain water quality. This is why the FWC describes them as one of the “world’s worst invaders”. The invasive island apple snail can lay up to 2,000 eggs at once, while the invasive channeled apple snail lays up to 800 eggs per clutch. This helps the snakes reproduce much faster and large number.