TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- It sounds like something from those old black-and-white "creature features" from the 1950s.

State agriculture officials want Floridians' help in eradicating any giant African land snails (pictured) that may have invaded the state. The big snails are considered a threat to people and plants.

The snails, which grow up to 8 inches long, have been found recently in Midwestern pet stores and schools, which don't know the animals' dangers. The state wants to know if any are in Florida.

“We must quickly determine whether these giant African land snails are already in our state and if so, eradicate them as quickly as possible,” Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said in a press release.

Experts say the giant snails can carry a parasite, which causes a type of meningitis. They are also known to eat at least 500 different types of plants.

Any schools, education programs or members of the public that might have this snail are asked to contact the Department immediately. Officials with the Department or the United States Department of Agriculture Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) will remove the pests from any location and dispose of them properly.

It's illegal to import the snails into the United States. The species plagued Florida in the 1960s and 70s, but was eradicated in a million-dollar program.