Known as the island apple snail, it could threaten an endangered bird, the Everglades snail kite. Behavior. The invasive snail can do a tremendous amount of damage to the plants of the Everglades wetlands. The Snail Kite uses its slender, curved bill to extract its primary prey, the apple snail, from its shell. GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Invasive animals often wreak havoc with their feeding habits; however, University of Florida researchers say a huge South American snail is causing problems when it’s the prey rather than the predator. Properly cooking apple snails is a long process that will take anywhere from four to seven hours from start to finish. Apple snails are not called apple snails because they eat apples. Preparing Snail Meat. Additionally, as the populations of the invasive apple snail increases, populations of the native snails decrease. They range in color from deep blue to gold and even striped. Scrape the snail foot meat out from the bottom of the shell. February 4, 2010. A 1 inch diameter shell is common size for adult Apple Snails. The Everglade snail kite feeds almost exclusively on apple snails (Pomacea), which are captured at or near the water’s surface. UF study: Invasive snail may damage diet of rare Everglades bird. Since apple snails are rarely kept on their own, you should always ensure that enough space is provided for both the apple snails and any fish in the tank. changed dramatically over the past decades and . The Everglade Snail Kite is a bird of prey with a very particular appetite: it feeds almost exclusively on apple snails, a freshwater mollusk that occurs in Central and South Florida wetlands including the Everglades. They are called Apple Snails because of their size. the apple snail, then it enters the water feet first, grasping the snail in its talons. But the Ecosystem that these two have shared has . Snail kites hunt for snails by flying slowly or perching over sparsely-vegetated lake shores or marshes, and grabbing snails with their feet that are within six inches (16 centimeters) of the water’s surface. Common name: Apple Snail Scientific name: Ampullariidae Max adult size: Depending upon species. True apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata) can grow up to 5" in Dia. Purchasers often do not realize they can grow very large very quickly. Apple Snails are often refered to as "Blue Mystery Snails" in the pet store, with little regard or information about their species. A 20 gallon aquarium is usually adequate, as it will allow a school of small minnows and 3-4 apple snails. The kite normally feeds on native apple snails the size of a golf ball. the apple snail population is now in morbid decline. Evolution has played a rather nasty trick on this bird, because its very special beak is why it is now having The bird’s curved beak is slightly off-center to allow it to easily extract the snail … Golden apple snails are completely peaceful, and will never bother any fish tank-mates. The foot meat is the edible part of the snail and it will come out of the snail shell first. Can reach up to 6 inches (15.2) in shell diameter. https://floridazone.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-giant-apple-snail.html