If you ever come across clusters of small, bubble-like pink eggs on walls, rocks, or near water, don’t touch them — they may look unusual or even beautiful, but they signal a serious ecological concern. These eggs belong to an invasive and destructive species: the apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata).
🐌 What Are These Pink Eggs?
These bright pink clusters are egg sacs laid by the golden apple snail, a species originally from South America. The snails lay their eggs above water, often on walls, stones, or other vertical surfaces near rivers, lakes, rice paddies, or garden ponds.
Each cluster can contain 200 to 500 eggs, and a single female can lay thousands in a single season.
🌍 Why Are They Dangerous?
Apple snails are considered an invasive species in many parts of Asia, Europe, and the U.S. They are especially destructive in:
- Rice fields (they destroy young shoots)
- Wetlands and aquatic ecosystems
- Ornamental ponds and water gardens
These snails outcompete native species, devour aquatic vegetation, and wreak havoc on biodiversity. In agriculture, they cause massive crop losses, especially in rice production.
📚 According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), infestations of apple snails have caused millions in damages in Southeast Asia.
☠️ Are They Dangerous to Humans?
While not directly toxic, these snails can carry parasites that pose risks to human health, such as Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm), which can cause serious illness if ingested through raw or undercooked snails or contaminated vegetables.
The egg sacs themselves are toxic if ingested, especially for pets or children who might be curious and touch or eat them. The bright pink color is actually a natural warning sign (aposematism).
🧽 What Should You Do If You See Them?
✅ Do:
- Use gloves to remove the eggs (do not use bare hands).
- Crush them and dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag in the trash.
- Check your garden pond or water barrel regularly for new clutches.
- Report large infestations to your local agricultural or environmental authority.
❌ Don’t:
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