Bithynia leachii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bithynia leachii |
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Bithynia leachii is a type of small freshwater snail. It has a special lid called an operculum that can close its shell. This snail lives in water and belongs to a group of animals called mollusks, specifically in the family Bithyniidae.
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Where Bithynia leachii Lives
This snail is found across a large area called the Palearctic region. This includes places like North Africa, Europe, and all the way to East Siberia.
Here are some of the countries where you can find Bithynia leachii:
- Czech Republic – It is critically endangered in some areas, like near the Morava and Thaya rivers.
- Germany – It is highly endangered here.
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Slovakia – Found in river basins like the Danube and Tisza.
- Sweden
- Great Britain
- Ireland
- Hungary
What the Shell Looks Like
The shell of Bithynia leachii is usually 3 to 7 millimeters wide. It can be 4 to 8 millimeters tall. The shell is often brown or grey in color.
It has about 4 to 4.5 rounded sections called whorls. These whorls form a short, cone-like shape. The lines between the whorls, called sutures, are very deep. The top part of the shell, known as the spire, is shorter and less pointed than in a similar snail, Bithynia tentaculata.
The opening of the shell, called the aperture, and its lid, the operculum, are smoothly rounded. The opening does not have a sharp point at its top corner.
Where Bithynia leachii Likes to Live
This snail needs very specific conditions to thrive. It prefers water that is clean and rich in calcium. The water should also be slow-moving and have lots of plants growing in it.
Tiny Organisms That Affect Bithynia leachii
Bithynia leachii can sometimes be a home for tiny organisms called parasites. These parasites live inside or on the snail.
For example, this snail can be the first host for:
- A type of parasite called Prosthogonimus ovatus.
- Another type of parasite known as Opisthorchis felineus.
Images for kids
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Shells of Bithynia leachii
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Drawing of the shell and operculum of Bithynia leachii
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The operculum (lid) of Bithynia leachii
