Viviparus contectus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Viviparus contectus |
|
---|---|
Shell of Viviparus contectus | |
Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Synonyms | |
Contectiana contecta (Millet, 1813) |
The Viviparus contectus, also known as Lister's river snail, is a type of large freshwater snail. It lives in water and belongs to a group of animals called mollusks. This snail has a special lid, called an operculum, which it uses to close its shell. It also has a gill to help it breathe underwater. Viviparus contectus is part of the Viviparidae family, which are often called river snails.
Where Do Lister's River Snails Live?
This snail is not originally from the United Kingdom. It is found across a large area called the Palaearctic region. This includes many parts of Europe and western Siberia.
Some of the places where you can find Viviparus contectus include:
- Great Britain, especially in eastern England.
- The Netherlands.
- Germany, where it is considered an endangered species.
- Austria.
- The Czech Republic, where it is listed as "near threatened." This means it could become endangered soon.
- Slovakia.
- Parts of Russia, like the Sverdlovsk region.
What Kind of Home Do They Like?
Lister's river snails prefer to live in certain types of watery places. They like rivers and canals where the water moves slowly. It's important that the water is clean and not polluted. These snails also prefer water that is "hard," meaning it has a lot of minerals in it. They especially like areas with many water plants, as these provide food and shelter.