Achatinella taeniolata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achatinella taeniolata |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura clade Panpulmonata clade Eupulmonata clade Stylommatophora clade Orthurethra |
| Superfamily: |
Achatinelloidea
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| Family: |
Achatinellidae
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| Genus: | |
| Subgenus: |
Bulimella
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| Species: |
A. taeniolata
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| Binomial name | |
| Achatinella taeniolata Pfeiffer, 1846
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| Synonyms | |
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Achatinella rubiginosa Newcomb |
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Achatinella taeniolata is a special kind of snail that lives in trees on the island of O'ahu, Hawaii. It's known for its beautiful, colorful shell. This snail is a type of land snail that breathes air and belongs to a group called gastropods. It's part of the Achatinellidae family, which includes many unique Hawaiian tree snails.
This snail is actually a subspecies of another snail called Achatinella viridans. They are very similar and can even interbreed.
Contents
What Does the O'ahu Tree Snail Look Like?
The shell of the Achatinella taeniolata is shaped like an oval, but a bit longer. It's quite strong and has small lines on it. The top part of the shell, called the apex, is smoother.
Shell Features
- Whorls: The shell has six spiral sections, called whorls. These whorls are slightly curved.
- Colors: The shell is usually shiny white. It has different patterns of brown bands, making each snail unique.
- Opening: The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is shaped like a half-oval.
- Columella: Inside the shell, there's a central pillar called the columella. It's white and has a strong tooth-like bump near the top.
- Size: These snails are about 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) tall and 11 millimeters (0.4 inches) wide. That's roughly the size of a small button!
Where Does This Snail Live?
The Achatinella taeniolata snail is endemic to the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. This means it can only be found naturally on O'ahu and nowhere else in the world. It lives in the trees, which is why it's called a tree snail.
Why Is This Snail Endangered?
Sadly, the Achatinella taeniolata is a critically endangered species. This means it is at a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Many factors contribute to its decline, including habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change. Protecting these unique snails is very important for Hawaii's natural environment.
This article uses information that is in the public domain.
See also
In Spanish: Achatinella taeniolata para niños
