Sandbowl snail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandbowl snail |
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| Shells of Catinella arenaria | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Quickella
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| Species: |
arenaria
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The sandbowl snail is a small land snail known by its scientific name, Quickella arenaria. It belongs to a group of snails called "amber snails" (family Succineidae). Quickella is a monotypic genus, which means it only has one species in it.
Contents
About the Sandbowl Snail
What Does the Shell Look Like?
The shell of the sandbowl snail is usually 5 to 8 millimeters wide. It has a reddish-brown color. The shell is quite delicate and can break easily.
It has a short, cone-like shape, almost like a tiny tower. The largest part of the shell is called the body whorl. The shell has three main spirals, or "whorls."
The opening of the shell, called the "aperture," is almost round. This opening is about half the total height of the shell. The very top part of the shell, the "spire," is very short.
The whorls are rounded, and the lines where they meet, called "sutures," are quite deep. The shell's surface is a bit shiny. You can see lines on it from where it grew over time.
What Does the Snail Look Like?
When the snail is alive, you can often see its dark digestive gland through the top of the shell. This makes the spire look much darker than the rest of the shell. The snail's body itself is dark gray to black.
The sandbowl snail's shell looks very similar to another snail called Succinella oblonga. To tell them apart, scientists often need to examine them very closely.
Where Sandbowl Snails Live
Preferred Habitats
These snails like to live in wet, low areas found among sand dunes. In places like the British Isles, these special spots are called "dune slacks."
When these "dune slacks" are in good condition, they create a unique home. Many unusual plants and animals, including the sandbowl snail, thrive there.
You can also find them on sandy or muddy soils that are sometimes flooded. These soils are often rich in calcium. In Switzerland, the sandbowl snail can live high up in the mountains, even at altitudes of 2,200 meters (about 7,200 feet) above sea level.
Where Sandbowl Snails Are Found
Global Distribution
The sandbowl snail is found mostly in western Europe. Its range stretches from France all the way to southeastern Sweden. It prefers areas near the coast.
However, you can also find them inland in some mountain areas. These include central Scandinavia and eastern Switzerland.
Specific Locations
This snail lives in several European countries, including:
- The British Isles: This includes Great Britain and Ireland.
- In Great Britain, it is considered an endangered species.
- It has been protected in the United Kingdom since 1981 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
- Western Europe: Such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
- Central Europe: Including Germany, Poland, and Slovakia.
- Northern Europe: Like Norway and Sweden.
Why They Are Rare
The sandbowl snail, also known as Catinella (Quickella) arenaria, is not very common and is found in scattered locations. This is because it has a "relict distribution." This means it was once widespread after the last ice age. However, as forests grew, its habitat shrank, making it rarer today.
