The East African Land Snail, known commonly in Okinawa as the Africa Maimai, is the largest snail in the world. Its conical shaped shell can grow up to 20 centimeters (approx. 7.9 inches) long, which some of you may (or definitely may not, like me) find these creepy crawlers fascinating. But be aware, for these pests are considered to be one of the top 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species. Okinawa is under the attack of alien snails!! How scary is that? Originally brought to Okinawa for food around the 1930s, the bred African Maimai escaped into the forests during World War II. Ever since, Okinawa prefecture had done its best to exterminate them; however, it’s not difficult to spot them here from time to time. I must admit, having never seen something so grotesque wild, I had to take a picture of it. When you find one, take a picture of it, stare at it, but DO NOT touch them. They are hosts to deadly parasites.