Ghost rams-horn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ghost rams-horn |
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| apical and apertural view of the shell of Biomphalaria havanensis | |
| Scientific classification |
The ghost rams-horn (scientific name: Biomphalaria havanensis) is a cool type of freshwater snail. It's an aquatic mollusk that breathes air, just like you! It belongs to a group of snails called Planorbidae, often known as "ram's horn snails" because of their unique shell shape.
Even though its shell looks like it coils to the right (which is called dextral), it actually coils to the left (called sinistral). It just carries its shell upside down, which makes it look different!
Meet the Ghost Rams-horn Snail!
What is a Ghost Rams-horn Snail?
The ghost rams-horn snail is a small, air-breathing snail that lives in fresh water. It's part of a big group of animals called mollusks. Snails are also known as gastropods.
This snail gets its common name, "ram's horn," from the way its shell looks. It's flat and coiled, a bit like a ram's horn!
Where Do They Live?
The ghost rams-horn snail is originally from the Neotropical region. This area includes parts of Central and South America.
You can find Biomphalaria havanensis in places like:
- Cuba
These snails have also been found in other places where they weren't originally from. Sometimes, they get moved by accident! For example, they were found in:
- A pond near the Snake River in Twin Falls County, Idaho, in 1991.
- The Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas.
