Nautilus ramshorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nautilus ramshorn |
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Nautilus crista Linnaeus, 1758 |
The Gyraulus crista, also known as the Nautilus ramshorn, is a tiny freshwater snail. It's a type of mollusk that lives in water, belonging to a group called gastropods. These snails are part of the Planorbidae family, often called 'ram's horn snails' because of their shell shape.
Contents
Where Does the Nautilus Ramshorn Live?
This small snail lives across the northern parts of the world. You can find it in many places, including:
- Czech Republic
- Slovakia
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- The British Isles, including Great Britain and Ireland
What Does the Nautilus Ramshorn Look Like?
Its Unique Shell
The Gyraulus crista has a very small shell. It looks almost flat, like a spiral that coils in a single plane. However, the very center of the shell actually sinks inwards instead of rising up. This is different from most snails.
The shell also has cool ridges that stick out. These ridges form little points around the edge of the shell.
Shell Color and Size
The shell is a see-through yellowish-brown color. It's really tiny! The biggest these shells get is about 3 millimeters across. That's smaller than a pea!
How Does This Snail Live?
Habitat and Environment
This snail loves to live on water plants. It prefers clear, still freshwater. In places like Ireland, you can often find it in:
- Slow-moving streams
- Drains
- Marsh pools
- Fen pools
Sometimes, it can even live in water that is a bit acidic.
How It Breathes Underwater
Even though the Gyraulus crista is a type of snail that usually breathes air (called a pulmonate gastropod), it doesn't use air to breathe. Instead, it takes in oxygen directly from the water. It does this through a special area inside its shell called the mantle cavity, which is filled with water.
