Victaphanta compacta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Victaphanta compacta |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The Otway black snail (scientific name: Victaphanta compacta) is a special type of land snail. It breathes air and is a carnivore, meaning it eats other animals. This snail belongs to a group of snails called gastropods, which are a kind of mollusk.
This unique snail is only found in warm, wet rainforests in Australia. It is one of four types of carnivorous land snails in the Victaphanta group. The Otway black snail lives only in the Otway Ranges, which is a specific area in Australia.
Scientists first described this snail in 1912, calling it Paryphanta compacta. Later, in 1933, the Victaphanta group (genus) was officially created for these snails.
Where Does the Otway Black Snail Live?
This snail is found only in Australia. It lives in the Otway Ranges, which are located in Victoria. When an animal or plant is found only in one specific place, it is called endemic to that area.
What Does the Otway Black Snail Look Like?
The Otway black snail has a body that can be grey-blue or black. Its shell is round and has four whorls, which are the spiral turns of the shell. The shell can be shiny dark brown to black. Sometimes, it has hints of yellow-brown on the inside part of the spiral.
The shell can grow up to 28 millimeters (about 1.1 inches) wide. It sits towards the back of the snail's body. The shell is thin, light, and a bit flexible. It is mostly made of a material called conchin.
You can tell the Otway black snail apart from other snails in its group. It lives only in the Otway Ranges. It has a round shell and does not have an orange frill (a wavy edge) around its foot. It also does not produce orange slime (mucus).
What Does the Otway Black Snail Eat?
The Otway black snail is partly nocturnal, meaning it is most active at night. It is a carnivore, so it hunts and eats other creatures. Its diet includes other snails, slugs, earthworms, and soft-bodied insect larvae. However, it does not eat other Otway black snails.
Unlike snails that eat plants, the Otway black snail does not have a jaw. Instead, it has a special tongue-like organ called a radula. The radula is on the underside of the snail's foot. It has long, sharp teeth arranged in V-shaped rows. These teeth help the snail hold its prey while it eats.
