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Quiz about The Giant African Snail Pet Pest or Snack

The Giant African Snail - Pet, Pest, or Snack? Quiz

A regular sized quiz on the giant African snail, not a giant quiz on regular African snails. Do you have the stomach to play it?

A multiple-choice quiz by garymeadows. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
garymeadows

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
395,005

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
193

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The giant African snail, or giant African land snail, can be found in many humid tropics and mild climates, including many Pacific islands, southern and eastern Asia, and the Caribbean, but from where did these giant snails originate? Hint

The end of giants' fingers

Nigeria

Guinea and Sierra Leone

Kenya and Tanzania

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Question 2 of 10

2. Most giant African snails grow to between seven and nine inches long, though they can grow up to a foot long. They are invertebrates, meaning they will not grow which of the following? Hint

A soul

A backbone

A heart

Eyes

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Question 3 of 10

3. The giant African snail is listed as one of the top 100 invasive species in the world and is the most frequently occurring invasive species of snail. It is therefore illegal to keep one as a pet in many countries, though they are legal as pets in the UK - why is this? Hint

Tradition dictates the Town Crier be allowed to keep up to 8, for racing

A royal decree issued by King Charles II protects them

The UK is climate too harsh for the snail to survive in the wild

British soil contains nutrients poisonous to the African molluscs

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Question 4 of 10

4. Three giant African snails were introduced to Florida in 1966. Within seven years the three grew into how many plant eating pests? Hint

1,800

180,000

180

18,000

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Question 5 of 10

5. Giant African snails can eat over 500 different species of plants. If you are feeding one, which of the following should you avoid? Hint

Onions, garlic, scallions, shallots, and leeks

Cauliflower, cocoa, fungi, peanuts, and cabbage

Zucchini, grapes, watercress, seaweed, and spinach

Papaya, apples, melons, wood, seeds, and bananas

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Question 6 of 10

6. As well as eating plants, the giant African snail can carry pathogens that will harm or kill plants. Can they transmit human diseases in the same way?

Yes

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Question 7 of 10

7. As well as transmitting diseases between humans, giant African snails can carry parasites such as rat lungworm. What disease can this parasite cause in humans if you touch the wrong giant African snail? Hint

Dysentery

Rabies

Tuberculosis

Meningitis

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Question 8 of 10

8. In which country is the giant African snail offered as a sacrifice to the deity Oxal�? Hint

Brazil

Uruguay

China

El Salvador

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Question 9 of 10

9. Researching this quiz has made me pretty queasy. I certainly won't be eating my skewer of "congo meat" - the name for sauteed giant African snail in which of these countries? Hint

New Zealand

North Korea

The Netherlands

Nigeria

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Question 10 of 10

10. If you live in the UK and have a question about a giant African snail, I suggest you contact Snail Rescue UK. They offer lots of information and advice on their website, but probably cannot take in any snails you don't want. In the early part of the twenty-first century, around how many snails were they asked to take care of every month? Hint

20,000

200

2,000

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Kenya and Tanzania

Now that the pun's out of the way I can write the rest of the quiz! Though native to East Africa, the snail has made its way to India, the West Indies, China and the USA.

2. Most giant African snails grow to between seven and nine inches long, though they can grow up to a foot long. They are invertebrates, meaning they will not grow which of the following?

Answer: A backbone

The giant African snail has two eyes, each on a stalk, and a tentacle either side of its mouth. Most of its vital organs are in the top of its shell. It has no spine or teeth.

Answer: The UK is climate too harsh for the snail to survive in the wild

Though illegal as pets in Japan, Australia and the USA, the climate in the UK is cold enough that a giant African snail would theoretically be unable to survive without human intervention, though it is illegal to release them into the wild. The US government will incinerate your giant African snails should you keep them illegally.

4. Three giant African snails were introduced to Florida in 1966. Within seven years the three grew into how many plant eating pests?

Answer: 18,000

The giant African snail is a hermaphrodite, meaning any two snails could mate, each producing an average of 200 eggs, though one could lay as many as 500! Each snail can lay six clutches a year, and each clutch has a 90% hatching viability. Eggs hatch between 11 and 15 days, and require no parental input. Each hatched egg could grow to adult sized within a year and then live a further nine years!

5. Giant African snails can eat over 500 different species of plants. If you are feeding one, which of the following should you avoid?

Answer: Onions, garlic, scallions, shallots, and leeks

Giant African snails need a lot of calcium, and if they are not getting enough from plants they will eat bones from carcasses, sand or small stones. They'll eat stucco and concrete, and it is not unknown for the snails to eat each other!
Onions, garlic etc are all varieties of the allium onion species, and contain a defence compound called allicin.

6. As well as eating plants, the giant African snail can carry pathogens that will harm or kill plants. Can they transmit human diseases in the same way?

Answer: Yes

It is best not to handle a wild giant African snail for this reason. If you want to eat one, make sure it was raised in captivity and given a proper diet.

Answer: Meningitis

Seriously, you do not want to handle or eat one of these snails without being sure of its origin. Meningitis is a terrible disease that affects the brain and spinal column. It can kill in hours.

8. In which country is the giant African snail offered as a sacrifice to the deity Oxal�?

Answer: Brazil

Oxal� is the Candombl� Sky Father and the creator of human bodies. The snail represents the need to be patient and to have a hard shell.

9. Researching this quiz has made me pretty queasy. I certainly won't be eating my skewer of "congo meat" - the name for sauteed giant African snail in which of these countries?

Answer: Nigeria

I've eaten alligator, kangaroo, mealworms, and something my local takeaway calls "The Abrakebabra," but I could do without eating one of these, mainly because of the health risks inherent in improperly prepared giant African snails. Remember, they can transmit human pathogens and host a number of parasites. Still, they are considered a delicacy in Nigeria and are eaten in Taiwan and China, too.

Answer: 2,000

Like any pet, it is worth researching before buying and seeing if it sounds like something you'd be prepared for. The snails are voracious eaters, they need to have their terrariums monitored, cleaned out and inspected for eggs, they need to have their mood checked and even need to be bathed once a month!

Source: Author garymeadows

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
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