It began as an ordinary morning — sunlight filtering through trees, the hum of bees over flowers, and the soft scent of soil freshly kissed by dew. As I went about my usual gardening routine, pruning and watering, something small and pale caught my eye near the rose bushes. At first glance, I assumed it was a piece of stray litter or perhaps some decorative beads misplaced by the wind. But as I moved closer, I realized these tiny white spheres were something else entirely.
Scattered delicately across the damp soil was a cluster of perfectly round, pearl-like orbs, their surfaces smooth and faintly translucent. They glistened in the morning light as though nature had laid tiny jewels at my feet. Kneeling down, I studied them more closely — they seemed too symmetrical, too deliberate, to be random.
Curiosity quickly replaced calm. With gloved hands, I gently lifted one from the earth. It was soft, gelatinous, and slightly pliable, cool to the touch. A strange unease rippled through me. What could they be? Eggs? Of what creature? My imagination raced from insects to amphibians to something far less welcome. The delicate beauty of the spheres contrasted sharply with the thought that they might harbor life waiting to emerge.
Taking a few inside, I placed them under bright kitchen light for closer inspection. Through their translucent layers, faint dark specks seemed to move within. A chill went through me — there was life in there. Grabbing my phone, I searched for answers. Within moments, the mystery was solved: they were snail eggs, sometimes referred to as “snail caviar.”
That revelation transformed my curiosity into concern. Snails, though seemingly harmless, can devastate a garden in days, consuming tender leaves, sprouts, and fruit with astonishing speed. Some species also carry parasites that pose risks to humans and pets. Suddenly, those smooth, shining beads no longer seemed benign — they represented an invasion in waiting.
Armed with new knowledge, I headed back outside, ready to protect my garden from a potential outbreak.