Snails & Shells
Who doesn’t enjoy collecting shells and snail shells on the beach? Along Africa’s shores, it’s not easy to choose between the countless beautiful shells and snail shells.
Caution when collecting shells
However, one should proceed with particular care here, because not all shells and snails found on African beaches are "freely available". Many houses were only parked temporarily on the beach, usually during the tides. Unfortunately, at the different stands, various snails and shells are also offered for sale to tourists, which one can assume were not voluntarily cleared. This can also cause one or the other problem when entering one's home country. So, what might start as a few cents can easily turn into several hundred euros, and in some cases, you might even face a criminal complaint.
Snails and shells live in the reef zone of the Indian Ocean and play an important role there. Therefore, it is better to immortalize them in a picture or on film. This not only ensures the preservation of the respective species but also discourages providers from exploiting the beautiful diversity of species for tourism.
Ark shell
One of the most beautiful shells in Africa is the ark shell. The ark shell family has up to 200 species. Many of these species feel very comfortable on the tropical coasts of Africa. They live in the tidal zones. The ark shell usually clamps onto hard substances. Here, they remain "stuck" permanently if the living conditions do not change. The very large family of elongated shells all have a very strong, robust, and ribbed shell. The so-called hinge has rows of teeth. Its very good grip is due to its almost unique flattened underside. This allows it to achieve the perfect fit. This beautiful shell is up to 51 millimeters long and up to 33 millimeters wide.
African giant snail
One notable snail species from Africa is the Achatina Fulica, the African giant snail. This snail species lives in East African Kenya, Madagascar, and Tanzania. Its shell can reach a length of up to 20 centimeters, and its body can even reach 30 centimeters. This very large snail can weigh up to one kilogram. It is thus the largest land snail in the world. It is a hermaphrodite and predominantly feeds on leaves and other decaying plant and vegetable matter. However, it also loves fruits and grasses. The African giant snail is banned from import in many countries. In the USA, it has caused immense ecological damage because the African giant snail has no natural enemies there.
