Bulimus

/ˈbjuːlɪməs/ noun

Definition

A genus of large land snails found in South America and other tropical regions.

Etymology

From Greek 'bous' (ox) + 'limos' (hunger), literally 'ox hunger,' referring to these snails' voracious eating habits. The name describes their ravenous appetite for vegetation.

Kelly Says

These snails were named by naturalists who watched them demolish plants with ravenous appetite—centuries later, doctors would use the same Greek word for a human eating disorder!

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