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Horntail snails join pythons and lionfish as a Florida pest

Photo: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Photo: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is known for fighting invasive species. The state encourages people to kill lionfish, iguanas and pythons.

But now there's a new non-native critter to worry about — the horntail snail.

The gastropod that's a pest in India for it's voracious consumption of farm products was found in Miami in August.

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued a warning about the snail this week. It said it's the first time the snail has been found in the United States.

The dime-sized snail eats hundreds of plants and reproduces rapidly.

Danielle Prieur covers education in Central Florida.