Biologist Andy Wood reaches into one of the tubs of water holding magnificent ramshorn snails. Wood preserves the snails, which maybe the only ones left in existence.
Biologist Andy Wood holds a magnificent ramshorn snail. Last month, they were added as a candidate for Endangered Special Act protection.
The giant Powelliphanta looks beautiful sliding along the mesic forest floor but this rare albino snail is not as gentle as its vegetarian American cousins. The New Zealand native mollusk is carnivorous, feasting on worms, grubs, and other creatures that are in the snail’s path. At maturity, a 20 year old snail can reach the size of a man’s fist. This photographs shows a Powelliphanta (Powell elephant?) approximately ten years old.
