But that got me to thinking and I was wondering if there are any other snails that are illegal to keep as pets? These snails are illegal in the continental United States because they are highly invasive, and can cause extensive damage to important food crops and other agricultural and natural resources. The most common name the snail has – golden apple snail; since it can be of different colorings, correspondingly it has different names. There doesn't seem to be much appeal to keeping this animal as a pet, and it's illegal to do so in the United States. Federal law states that it is illegal for apple snails to be imported across state lines. Our Mystery snails do not grow to the tremendous size that Apple snails do (often as big as an apple!). However even these must be from a US source only (illegal to import) and there could be some states with their own restrictions. It depends on the snail. The big aquatic snails are legal and mailable: Apple snails, mystery snails, Columbian ramshorn snails. It is hard to answer the question why snails are illegal since the "why" part implies there is a logic or a reason behind a law and the truth is all snails are not illegal everywhere in the US. Despite vigorous lobbying by OATA, as of the end of November, it is illegal for aquatic retailers, wholesalers, importers or hobbyists to bring in Apple snails, Pomacea spp., to the UK. They are an agricultural pest. Giant African land snails are illegal in the continental united States and many other countries. The FWC does suggest that owners of these snails please refrain from releasing them into the wild. Giant African snails are being used increasingly in science lessons in schools. The island applesnail, Pomacea insularum, appears nearly identical. The snails can carry the rat lungworm nematode, which can cause meningitis in humans. IIRC Snakeheads are banned through out the US. Apple snails Illegal. Then I read that Giant African Land Snails are illegal to keep as pets in the US, which is fine by me because I wanted a small snail. Apple snail (Pomacea bridgesii) is a large, bright and very popular tank snail. Retail sales throughout the UK are estimated to be in the region of £300,000 each year. Apple snails are considered an invasive species and are illegal to own in the United States. 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species. So I have owned the only one I will ever own. Thread starter j-lor; Start date Nov 5, 2008; Forums. While the giant African land snail might seem like a fun exotic pet to keep, it's considered one of the most invasive pests in the world. Apple snails are banned, so no more fist sizes snails in our tank. The DNR said there is no way for me to get zebra mussels to feed to my puffer even if this would be helping control an invasive species. OK snail/fish people… Heads up! “The native wildlife that typically eat snails don’t like to eat applesnails because they don’t taste good,” Raney said. Applesnail ( Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea insularum) DESCRIPTION: The shell of the channeled applesnail (Pomacea canaliculata) varies from 1.5 - 2.3 inches wide and 1.75 - 3 inches high.The shell has 5 to 6 whorls which are separated by a deep, indented suture, hence the species name 'canaliculata' or 'channeled'. These are freshwater snails and their adaptable nature makes them suitable for … CITES fish of course. So I was reading about snails online and thought that it would be fun and fairly easy to keep one as a pet. Lowe, S.J., M. Browne, and S. Boudjelas. There’s a couple types of snails that sometimes gets confused with what we call “mystery snails.” They’re called the “channel apple snail” or “island apple snail.” These snails can be found in the wild in some states in the US – especially Florida, Texas, and California, along with some southern states. The applesnails will eat anything, but most species won’t eat them. 2000.