Meet the Achatina, the giant land snails that dominate the African landscape

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The genus Achatina contains some of the largest land snails on Earth. Native to Sub-Saharan Africa, these air-breathing mollusks are known for their striking, ovate shells and impressive size. While some are kept as colorful pets, others have become notorious invasive pests in tropical regions across the globe.

The Achatina genus represents a diverse group of terrestrial pulmonate gastropods within the Achatinidae family. With approximately 200 species found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, these snails are defined by their medium to large, often colorfully streaked shells. Among them, Achatina achatina, described by Linnaeus in 1758, holds the title for the largest land snail on the planet, originating from Western Africa, specifically ranging from Liberia through Nigeria.

Taxonomic classification within this group is complex and frequently evolving. Many species historically categorized under Achatina have been reclassified into the genus Lissachatina. For instance, the giant East African snail, Achatina fulica—first described by Bowdich in 1822—is now widely recognized as Lissachatina fulica. This particular species has gained significant notoriety as a serious agricultural pest in numerous tropical countries where it has been introduced, leading many governments to officially list it as an invasive species.

Beyond the well-known giants, the genus includes a wide array of species distributed across the continent, from the Congo and Tanzania to Angola and Botswana. Researchers continue to refine these classifications as new data emerges. In some cases, such as Achatina vassei, described by Germain in 1918, classification remains uncertain because the internal anatomy of the specimen is not fully understood. This ongoing scientific scrutiny highlights the challenges of mapping the biodiversity of these impressive mollusks, which continue to fascinate both amateur terrarium enthusiasts and professional malacologists alike.

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