Achatina achatina, commonly known as the giant African snail, also known as the giant tiger land snail, and gigantocochlea, is a species of large, air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Achatinidae. The name "Achatina" is from "achates", Greek for agate. It shares the common name "giant African snail" with other species of snails such as Lissachatina fulica and Archachatina marginata. Distribution The species is believed to be native to West Africa, within to of the coasts of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria. Achatina achatina is routinely confiscated by quarantine authorities at United States airports, especially in Baltimore, Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and San Francisco. These large snails are kept as pets in the Western world, where owners prize their large size, distinctive markings, and rarity. It is considered a potentially serious pest, an invasive species that could adversely affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health or commerce. A related species of snail (Achatina fulica) has become established in some Caribbean islands, such as Barbados. It has been suggested that these species be given top national quarantine significance in the United States. Snails of the genus Achatina have already established themselves in the wild in Florida, where they are considered a pest. Due to their invasive nature and their slime being a disease vector for meningitis, ownership of these animals is outlawed in several countries. Description The shells of these snails often grow to a length of with a diameter of . Certain examples have been surveyed in the wild at 30×15 cm, making them the largest extant land snail species known. Similar to other giant land snails such as the Achatina fulica, Achatina achatinas are herbivores. Their diets consist of many plants such as nuts, flowers, fruit, stems, and leaves. Achatina achatina have also been known to eat farmers' crops including cocoa, peanuts, bananas, and cauliflower. In other instances, the giant African land snail has been known to eat small insects in order to reach their desired calcium and protein intake needed for survival. Such insects include ants, small worms, and even beetles. Ecology Like almost all pulmonate gastropods, these snails are hermaphrodites, having male and female sex organs. Each snail lays up to 1200 eggs per year. Achatina achatina is an important source of animal protein for West African forest-dwelling