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In nature there is always a story. Sometimes it takes a while (and luck) to figure it out.

While kayaking with my son on the Hillsborough River this summer, we found many pink and white egg clusters attached to tree bark and vegetation. Pink egg clusters were prevalent. Two months later, on a field trip in Sawgrass Park led by Francia Smith, we saw one pink egg cluster, which Francia identified as apple snail eggs.

A web search revealed the following story about apple snails in Florida:

There are three species of apple snails in Florida.

Florida Apple Snail (Pomacea paludosa) is native and occurs throughout peninsular Florida. It is the principal food of the Everglades Kite and is considered beneficial.





Spiketopped Apple Snail (Pomacea bridgesi) was introduced many years ago into South Florida, and has a low tolerance for cold water. It is found in southern Florida only and is not a threat to ecology.



Channeled Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) was introduced into Florida from the Paraguay River System as early as 1978. It grows nearly twice the size as the other two species and has become a rice industry pest, as well as a serious competitor for food with other species. It is the largest fresh water snail in Florida.









I found both the Florida and Chanelled Apple snails in my shell collection. Looking at them side-by-side the differences are obvious.







The Florida Apple Snail is on the decline. I have never seen its eggs in any of the lakes in St. Pete. Apple snails are eaten in Vietnam, but I have not heard of anybody eating them anywhere else.