Achatinella mustelina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achatinella mustelina |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Achatinella
|
| Species: |
mustelina
|
Achatinella mustelina is a special kind of land snail that breathes air. It is a mollusc, which is a group of soft-bodied animals. This snail is found only in one place: the Waianae Range on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. This means it is an endemic species, living nowhere else in the world!
Sadly, Achatinella mustelina is a critically endangered species. This means it is at very high risk of disappearing forever.
Where They Live
Achatinella mustelina snails live in forests high up in the mountains. These forests can be dry, wet, or somewhere in between.
These snails like to attach themselves to the leaves at the very tops of native trees and shrubs. Some of their favorite trees include Metrosideros polymorpha, Dubautia plantanginea, and Myrsine lessertiana. A snail might even spend its whole life on just one tree!
They can be found at elevations from about 600 to 1158 meters (about 2,000 to 3,800 feet) above sea level.
What They Look Like
Achatinella mustelina snails can look a bit different depending on where they live. But generally, adult snails are about 19 to 24 millimeters long. That's about the size of a small paperclip!
Their shells are usually shiny. They are often brown with lighter bands that go around the shell. Some shells might be white with dark lines across them.
What They Eat
These snails are mostly active at night. Both young and adult snails eat tiny fungi that grow on the surface of leaves. They gently graze on these fungi, like a tiny cow munching on grass.
How Long They Live
Achatinella mustelina snails live for a surprisingly long time compared to many other snails. They are estimated to live for about 10 years. Some lucky snails might even live for 15 to 20 years!
How They Have Babies
Achatinella mustelina snails are hermaphroditic. This means each snail has both male and female reproductive parts. They can even fertilize themselves to have babies!
They have a long pregnancy period. When they give birth, they have live, well-developed young. These young snails grow slowly and do not have many babies themselves. These snails can breed all year round.
