Planorbis planorbis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Planorbis planorbis |
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The Planorbis planorbis is a fascinating type of freshwater snail that breathes air. It's a kind of gastropod, which means it's a mollusk that moves on a "foot" and often has a shell. This particular snail belongs to a group called "ram's horn snails" because of its unique, flat, coiled shell that looks a bit like a ram's horn.
Where Do Ram's Horn Snails Live?
These snails are found in many parts of the world. They are considered "cosmopolitan," meaning they live on almost every continent. Sometimes, they are even introduced to new places and can become an invasive species, which means they spread quickly and might affect the local environment.
You can find Planorbis planorbis in many European countries, including:
In some areas, like the Czech Republic, they are listed as "least concern," meaning their populations are stable and not at risk.
What Does a Planorbis planorbis Snail Look Like?
Like all ram's horn snails, the Planorbis planorbis has a shell that coils in a special way. If you imagine looking at the snail from above, the shell coils to the left. This is called a "sinistral" shell.
The shell of this snail can be quite wide, usually between 15 and 20 millimeters across. That's about the size of a small coin! The shell also has a ridge, or "keel," around its edge. This keel is closer to the side of the shell that points downwards when the snail is moving.
Where Do Planorbis planorbis Snails Prefer to Live?
These snails love shallow, calm freshwater environments. You'll often find them in still waters like ponds or slow-moving streams. They especially like places with a muddy bottom. They can live in water up to about one meter deep.
They can even survive in places that temporarily dry out, like floodwaters that come and go. However, they don't like strong water currents. Planorbis planorbis snails are quite tough and can handle water that has a lot of nutrients, a condition known as eutrophication.
