In rich, healthy ‘litter-layers’ on forest floors all over New Zealand, our critter this week is busy doing its thing. But you’d hardly know – our micro land snails are exactly that – really really tiny and a microscope is needed to see most of the species.
DOC’s Threatened Species Ambassador, Nicola Toki, shines a light on our developing knowledge of these snails.
A selection of New Zealand land snails, showing a variety of patterns and shapes. From left to right, Phenacohelix lucetta, Tubuaia novoseelandica and Wainuia urnula, which is one of our largest land snails. It can be 2-3 cm across, and hunts amphipods. Photo: David Roscoe / Department of Conservation
