List of non-marine molluscs of the United States facts for kids

The non-marine mollusks of the United States are a group of amazing creatures. These include snails and slugs that live in freshwater or on land. Unlike marine mollusks, they do not live in the ocean. They are an important part of the animal life found across the United States.

Meet Freshwater Snails

Freshwater snails are mollusks that live in rivers, lakes, and ponds. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some have spiral shells, while others have flatter, limpet-like shells. These snails play a vital role in their watery homes. They often eat algae and decaying plant matter. This helps keep the water clean.

Types of Freshwater Snails

There are many different families of freshwater snails. Each family has unique features.

Amnicolidae: Small Water Snails

The Amnicolidae family includes tiny snails. They are often called "springsnails" or "dusky-snails." You might find them in springs, streams, or lakes. Some examples are the Foushee Cavesnail (Amnicola cora) and the Mud Amnicola (Amnicola limosus).

Pleuroceridae: River Snails

Snails in the Pleuroceridae family are often found in rivers and larger streams. They usually have thick, cone-shaped shells. Some common names for these snails are "river snails" or "rocksnails." Examples include the Armored Rocksnail (Lithasia armigera) and the Knobby Rocksnail (Lithasia curta).

Hydrobiidae: Tiny Pebblesnails

The Hydrobiidae family contains many small to very small snails. They are often called "pebblesnails" or "springsnails." They live in various freshwater habitats. The Alamosa Springsnail (Tryonia alamosae) is one example.

Planorbidae: Ramshorn and Limpet Snails

This family includes snails with flat, coiled shells that look like a ram's horn. They are often called "ramshorn snails." It also includes some freshwater limpets, which have a simple, cap-like shell. The Ghost Ramshorn (Biomphalaria havanensis) and the Fragile Ancylid (Ferrisia fragilis) are members of this group.

Physidae: Left-Handed Snails

Physidae snails are known for their shells that coil to the left. Most snail shells coil to the right. They are often called "bladder snails" or "pouch snails." They are common in many freshwater environments. The Tadpole Physa (Physella gyrina) is a well-known species.

Lymnaeidae: Pond Snails

Lymnaeidae snails are often called "pond snails." They are common in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water. They have tall, pointed shells. The Thickshell Pondsnail (Stagnicola utahensis) is an example.

Land Snails and Slugs

Land gastropods are snails and slugs that live on land. They need damp environments to survive. You can find them in forests, gardens, and under rocks or logs. Slugs are snails without a visible shell.

Common Land Snail Families

Charopidae: Small Forest Snails

The Charopidae family includes small land snails. They often live in damp forest areas. Radiodomus abietum is one species found in the U.S.

Discidae: Disc Snails

Discidae snails have flattened, disc-shaped shells. They are often found in leaf litter or under bark. The White-lipped Forest Snail (Anguispira alternata) is a common example.

Helicodiscidae: Coil Snails

Snails in the Helicodiscidae family are tiny. They have very flat, coiled shells. They often live in damp soil or decaying wood. The Parallel Coil Snail (Helicodiscus parallelus) is one such species.

Oreohelicidae: Mountain Snails

Oreohelicidae snails are often found in mountainous regions. They have varied shell shapes. Oreohelix idahoensis is a species from this family.

Polygyridae: Toothed Snails

The Polygyridae family includes many common North American land snails. Some have "teeth" or folds inside their shell opening. These can help protect them from predators. Archer's Toothed Land Snail (Fumonelix archeri) is an example.

Punctidae: Dot Snails

The Punctidae family contains very small snails. They are often called "dot snails." They have translucent, flat shells. They live in damp places like forests. The Dot Snail (Punctum pygmaeum) is a well-known species.

Freshwater Bivalves

Freshwater bivalves are mollusks with two hinged shells. They are often called "freshwater mussels." They live buried in the mud or sand of rivers and lakes. They filter water to get their food. This helps to clean the water.

Unionidae: River Mussels

The Unionidae family includes most of the freshwater mussels found in the U.S. They are very important for healthy aquatic ecosystems. Many species are endangered. The Southern Mapleleaf (Quadrula apiculata) is an example of a freshwater mussel.

Endangered and Threatened Mollusks

Many non-marine mollusks in the United States are facing serious threats. These threats include pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. The U.S. government lists some species as "endangered" (E) or "threatened" (T). Endangered means they are at high risk of disappearing forever. Threatened means they are likely to become endangered soon.

Freshwater Mollusks in Danger

As of 2009, 34 types of freshwater snails are listed as endangered or threatened. Only one marine snail, Haliotis sorenseni, is listed. One land snail from overseas, Papustyla pulcherrima, is also listed. In total, 36 snail species are federally listed. Many freshwater mussels are also in danger.

Land Gastropods in Danger

Several land snails are also listed as endangered or threatened. These snails often live in very specific habitats. Losing these habitats puts them at great risk.

See also

• List of marine molluscs of the United States
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service list of endangered species

Lists of molluscs of surrounding countries:

• List of non-marine molluscs of Canada
• List of non-marine molluscs of Mexico
• List of non-marine molluscs of Cuba