Today we confirmed our first ever record of the normally very common land snail, Lauria cylindracea. Sadly we only found it’s shell, the animal itself obviously recently perished. It was attached to some Nostoc (a cyanobacterium) in amongst the mosses on the concrete steps as shown below.
Known as The Common Chrysalis Snail, we assume due to its shape, it can be confused with other similar species. So we placed the shell under higher magnification and gathered images of its identifying characteristics. Click on the link below to view our short species account of this snail;
Ask any gardener and they will tell you, usually in no uncertain terms, just how many snails can live in one small garden. However, it’s their diversity rather than abundance that we find so impressive. This species is our ninth species of snail so far recorded, we suspect the list will continue to grow.
Different snail species do have different food preferences, but most prefer already dead or decaying vegetable matter, although inevitably some tender shoots will be taken. They are important in the process of speeding up decomposition and recycling of nutrients. So we feel it is better to tolerate, perhaps even enjoy their presence, rather than attempt to kill as many as possible.
DC: 21/12/2023
Wildlife Garden 