Hemicycla inutilis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hemicycla inutilis |
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Hemicycla inutilis is a special kind of snail that lives on land. It belongs to a group of animals called gastropods. This snail is found only in one place in the world: the Canary Islands. Scientists first described it in 1872.
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About the Canary Islands Snail
Hemicycla inutilis is a type of land snail. It is part of the Helicidae family. This family includes many common land snails. Snails are known for their soft bodies and hard shells. They move slowly on a muscular foot.
What is a Gastropod?
Gastropods are a large group of animals. They are part of the mollusc family. This group includes snails, slugs, and sea slugs. Most gastropods have a single, spiral shell. They use their shells for protection. They also have a special ribbon-like tongue called a radula. They use it to scrape food.
Where Does This Snail Live?
This snail is endemic to the Canary Islands. This means it lives naturally only there. The Canary Islands are a group of islands. They are located off the northwest coast of Africa. They are part of Spain. The islands have a warm climate. They also have unique plants and animals. This makes them a special home for many species.
Why is it Vulnerable?
The Hemicycla inutilis snail is listed as "Vulnerable." This means it faces a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Many things can threaten snails. These include losing their habitat. Pollution can also harm them. New species brought to the islands can also be a problem. These new species might eat the snails. They might also compete for food. Protecting their natural home is very important. This helps these unique snails survive.
See also
In Spanish: Hemicycla inutilis para niños
