Got snails? Southern Utah biologists say they could be invasive

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ST. GEORGE — With the recent rains, locals have reported being overrun with snails in areas across southern Utah, and biologists say they could be invasive.

According to Dr. Frederic Govedich, a biology professor at Southern Utah University, snails often appear following or during rainstorms to find a mate and lay eggs. They can be found in small puddles, grass and other moist areas.

"And then they'll hatch, and everyone's like, 'Oh, that's a snailfest,'" he said.

While some snails are native to southern Utah, many species are extremely small, Govedich said. The snails appearing in southern Utah lawns are most likely introduced or invasive species, but it's difficult to know without examining a specimen or a clear photo.

Native snails are less commonly seen and often isolated to springs, streams and ponds, where they evolved over millennia, said Dr. Samual Wells, an assistant professor in SUU's biology department.

Read the full article at St. George News.