Top 7 Largest Snails In The World

Snails, with their slow, deliberate movements and distinctive spiral shells, are among the most recognizable invertebrates on Earth. Yet, beyond the familiar garden snail, the largest snails in the world are not only remarkable for their physical dimensions but also for their diverse habitats, ecological roles, and interactions with humans and other species.

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The diversity of snails is staggering, with over 40,000 species inhabiting terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments across the globe. Here we would like to share with you the top 7 largest snails in the world.

7. Giant Whelk (Up to 10 inches)

Scientifically known as Syrinx aruanus, the Giant Whelk snail can reach extraordinary sizes of up to 10 inches in length and weigh as much as 18 kg. Its shell is elongated and trumpet-like, which is why it is also called the Australian Trumpet snail. The shell’s smooth surface and pale coloration make it highly prized by collectors.

This species is found in warm waters around northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. It inhabits sandy and muddy seabeds, often at moderate depths, where it can burrow and hunt. Unlike herbivorous land snails, the Giant Whelk is a carnivorous predator. It feeds on other marine invertebrates, particularly polychaete worms, using its proboscis to capture prey.

6. Giant Tiger Land Snail (Up to 10.75 inches)

The Giant Tiger Land Snail or Achatina achatina is a large snail species that grows up to 10.75 inches in shell length. Its shell is broadly ovate with 7–8 whorls, often patterned with striking brown and yellow stripes, which resemble tiger markings, hence the name “Giant Tiger Land Snail”.

It can be found abundantly across West Africa, especially in countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast. It is primarily a herbivore, feeding on fruits, vegetables, and plant matter. Its voracious appetite can make it a serious agricultural pest when introduced outside its native range. In captivity, Giant Tiger Land Snails can live 5–7 years, with some reaching up to 10 years.

5. Knobbed Whelk (Up to 12 inches)

Credit: Jaxshells

The Knobbed Whelk is the second largest species of Busycon whelks, capable of growing up to 12 inches in shell length. Its shell is spiral-shaped with prominent knobs along the shoulders, giving it a rugged texture. Colors range from light gray to dark brown, often with intricate natural patterns.

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Not only that, but it is also recognized as the state shell of New Jersey and Georgia. The Knobbed Whelk is a carnivorous snail and by preying on bivalves, it helps regulate populations and maintain balance in the coastal ecosystem.

4. Lightning Whelk (Up to 16 inches)

The Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur sinistrum) is one of the largest marine snails in North America, with shells reaching up to 16 inches with females being much larger than their counterparts. Its shell is sinistral (left-handed), meaning it spirals counterclockwise, which is a rare trait among gastropods.

The shell is elongated with sharp ridges, often pale gray or tan with darker streaks resembling lightning bolts, which inspired its name. It can be found along the Gulf of Mexico and the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States. Similar to the Knobbed Whelk, the Lightning Whelk is also a carnivorous predator, feeding mainly on clams and oysters.

3. Giant Triton (Up to 2 feet)

The Giant Triton is among the largest gastropods, with shells reaching up to two feet in length. Its shell is elongated, spiraled, and beautifully patterned with chevron markings in shades of white, orange, and brown. This snail is also known as Triton's trumpet, as it is said that Triton, the Greek god of the sea, used this shell as a trumpet.

It can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific Oceans and it is one of the few natural predators of the crown-of-thorns starfish, which can devastate coral reefs if left unchecked. The snail has a unique paralyzing agent in its saliva, which it uses to catch its prey.

2. Florida Horse Conch (Up to 2 feet)

The Florida Horse Conch is renowned as the largest gastropod in American waters, with shells growing up to 2 feet long and weighing well over 11 pounds. The shell is fusiform (spindle-shaped) with up to 10 whorls, spiral cords, and axial ribs. Juveniles are bright orange, while adults often appear grayish-white or salmon-orange, covered by a brown periostracum.

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It is found in the shallow coastal waters of the western Atlantic, from North Carolina to the Yucatán Peninsula, and is especially abundant in the Gulf of Mexico. It is considered a top predator among mollusks as well as hermit crabs.

1. Australian Trumpet (Nearly 3 feet)

The Australian Trumpet holds the record as the largest extant gastropod, with shells growing to nearly 3 feet in length and weighing over 39 pounds. Its shell is elongated and trumpet-shaped, with a smooth surface and pale coloration. The name “trumpet” comes from its resemblance to a musical instrument.

It can be found in northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. This snail is frequently hunted for food as well as their striking shells, which are highly sought after by collectors.

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