Pink Blobs Are Popping Up Around Florida. Here's Why You Should Be Worried!

Traveling to Florida can bring tons of fun!

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You might be heading to Disney World or Universal for theme park fun or even the beach for a relaxing time in the sun. While there is lots of fun to be had in Florida, there can also be things you need to be cautious of. One of the “world’s worst invaders” has now popped up in the state, and you need to be prepared before your next visit.

If you live in or have been to Florida recently, you might have noticed some pink blobs if you’re walking along a body of water. They look like tiny little blobs, making them seem nonthreatening. What you might not know, though, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), these little pink blobs are in the top 100 of the world’s worst invasive species.

©San Antonio River Authority

These little pink blobs are called Pomacea apple snails. There are 4 different exotic species in Florida called the island apple snail, channeled apple snail, spike-topped apple snail, and the titan apple snail. So what is it about these little pink blobs that are causing us to pause? These snails are causing tons of damage to wetland crops because they eat “a variety of aquatic vegetation, fruits and vegetables, algae, remains of decaying organisms, and other snail eggs.”

©KSAT

These snails could potentially change the aquatic ecosystem in Florida. In addition to the 4 exotic species that you can find in the state, there is a native Florida apple snail that is a white blob and larger than the pink version we’ve seen. The native species of apple snail traditionally pops up during the warmer months, and each of these clusters can hatch hundreds, if not thousands, of these snails.

©KSAT

This all sounds interesting and weird and concerning for the state, but how would it impact you on your next trip? According to News 6, these lovely little eggs have a neurotoxin in them and can carry the rat lung worm parasite, so do not touch them! Additionally, these are incredibly dangerous if eaten raw. We are deep into the warm months, so be sure to keep an eye out for these on plants and other surfaces near freshwater.

Native Florida species eggs are on the right. Exotic apple snail eggs are on the left. ©FWC

FWC officials have shared that there is very little they can currently do to “stem the exotic apple snail populations, as is the case for most established exotic species that are often part of the exotic pet trade.” If you do own an apple snail, the FWC does suggest not releasing them into the wild. It’s also important to note that it is illegal for these snails to be taken across state lines.

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Long story short, keep your hands to yourself and don’t touch (or eat) the little pink blobs! As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more travel news and updates.

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