Brits are being warned about an invasive species that if you see, you should destroy, according to authorities.
And there's good reason for it, with the species being incredibly toxic - with it having the ability to kill your dog.
Dubbed something that looks like 'raspberry eggs' on social media platforms like TikTok, they look fascinating with a vibrant red / pink colour. But videos have gone viral showing people crushing these eggs following warnings over the damage they cause.
Warning issued
The eggs are actual snail eggs belonging to a species called the apple snail.
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Laid in groups of tiny little red / pink balls, they mimic the appearance of a raspberry. But raspberry they are not, with you falling ill if you, for some reason, decided to eat them.
And if your dog comes across them and falls ill, the pooch could die. It is that serious.
Symptoms in people include irritation of the skin and eyes.
In dogs, they are linked to carrying the rat lungworm pathogen. This can endanger dogs, starting with weak hind legs, followed by hind leg paralysis.
In the worst cases, this can progress up the body of a dog and ultimately lead to brain damage and death. Rat lungworm in people can also lead to paralysis and even death.
Apple snails in the UK
Apple snails can be freely bought in the UK, with the likes of Amazon having them up for grabs.
They were previously banned, though, until 2021 when this was lifted across the country and the European Union.
It's a popular aquarium animal. But sadly, they don't stay there and are found in the wild.
'Squash the eggs'
Apple snails and their eggs are found across Europe, Asia in some US states such as Hawaii. In 2023, the first ever sightings of them were recorded in North Carolina.
At the time of the sighting, North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) warned that the apple snail posed risks to local farming and native habitats.
"Their grazing habits can cause damage to crops such as rice, as well as to wild native plants used by many aquatic species," the commission said.
"They have even been observed feeding on amphibian eggs."
The NCWRC said that 'after documenting the location, egg masses can be destroyed [by] crushing and scraping them off into the water'. You can squash them with anything, such as a stock or paddle.
NCWRC experts have also said to 'make sure the eggs sink' while avoiding contact with bare skin to avoid possible rashes from the eggs' toxins.
Tom Earnshaw