Pond mud snail, by Roy Anderson 1/1

Pond mud snail Omphiscola glabra

The pond mud snail is typically found in freshwater habitats which partially or completely dry out during summer months, particularly shallow pools that contain leaf litter and soft mud. During periods of drought they will bury down into the mud and become inactive, this ensures they have few competitors and as specialist are able to survive these harsh conditions. The snail has always been uncommon but have become increasingly rare, in the UK the snail is thought to have declined over the last 25 years by as much as 50%.

Conservation status

Although probably under recorded, it is a priority species for conservation, its stronghold is in the New Forest and West Country, very rare elsewhere. Known from only one area  in East Anglia. Decline in the population is due to the temporary habitats favoured by the pond mud snail being lost or degraded through infilling. The situation is not helped by the mud snail’s lack of mobility, being unable to move between or to new areas when their habitat is lost.

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Details

Did you know? Pond mud snails are able to fill their pallial cavity with water and can acquire oxygen from it, despite being pulmonate (lung breathing). This helps them survive longer without a steady source of water.
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