Mystery Invasive Chinese Snail Discovered in Missouri Lake

The Missouri Department of Conservation has just shared word that an invasive snail from China has been found in a Missouri lake and it's more widespread that you can imagine.

This is a picture of the invasive Chinese mysterysnail just shared by the Missouri Department of Conservation that were just found in Lake Minesa in Marshall, Missouri. State officials say they found 150 specimens in just a quick survey of that lake, but there were likely many more.

“These snails, like other invasive species, are able to reproduce rapidly and outcompete our native species for important food and habitat resources,” says MDC Malacologist, Stephen McMurray. “Chinese mysterysnail in particular can be a vector of diseases that can affect humans, so we don’t want them in our waterways.” The Missouri Department of Conservation went on to say that these snails can be found in "lakes, ponds, rice fields, irrigation and roadside ditches, and calm portions of streams where there is a soft mud".

As they shared the news of this invasive species find on their Facebook page, the Missouri Department of Conservation added that this critter has also been found in 11 other counties already.

What do you do if you find one of these snails in Missouri?

You need to report the find to the Missouri Department of Conservation. The problem with this snail is it will compete with native species in Missouri lakes and eventually take over if their spread is not stopped. One female snail of this species can give birth to 169 in a lifetime so it doesn't take long before this nasty snail occupies the places where native Missouri species should be.