![]() Mystery snails need consistency in their habitat in order to thrive and avoid illness. However, it’s important to remember that just because it’s simple it doesn’t mean it’s hands-off. Mystery snail care is fairly simple and something that anyone can do. While some completely healthy snails end up being this size, it’s usually an indication of poor care or breeding. If subpar care has been provided it’s entirely possible for a mystery snail to stop growing at around one inch in diameter instead. You measure snails in diameter as opposed to length because it’s a more reliable indicator due to their build. The average mystery snail size is roughly 2 inches in diameter when fully grown. This only happens when they’re sick or dead. It can be hard to see it depending on the angle and positioning of their foot, but it simply gets moved to the side when they’re out and about.Īuthor Note: If the operculum on your mystery snail falls off that’s likely a very bad sign. This is the little lid that these snails use to cover up the large opening in their shell when tucked away for safety. This is not a common setup and it’s one of the more unique aspects of mystery snail anatomy! These snails have a siphon near their heads that they use to move water through their gills. Something interesting about the mystery snail is the way they breathe. Sometimes you’ll on y be able to see their little tentacles sticking out if they’re searching the substrate for algae and plant matter to eat. Their eyes protrude and rest on top of stalks that can quickly be tucked in if the animal is in danger. ![]() Mystery snails have a very standard head shape with tentacles. The thickest point is where the bulk of their body is (obviously). Their shells usually have no more than four whorls that start at the top of the shell and work their way down. Mystery snail anatomy is pretty straightforward, but it’s worth going over to help you get a better understanding of the species. Usually, this will show itself as a whiteish-grey but can also be yellow, dark grey, and black (there are a ton of different varieties you can get). ![]() The bodies of mystery snails come in a variety of colors as well. You might see a mostly white portion followed by a thin brown and then a more yellowish band right after that. Their stripes are almost always darker than their primary color and will vary in width. This might be solid without any patterns or deviations, or it could be split up by some bands and stripes. Many times their shell will have a primary color of brown (usually light) or a faded white. Mystery snails have a variety of different colors and patterns that you’ll notice when looking at them. The colors are where you can start to differentiate between them and other species. They have the basic shell curve that you find on a multitude of different species. Mystery snails look very much like a typical snail when it comes to their build. You can obviously shorten it by giving them subpar care, but it’s extremely rare for a mystery snails lifespan to exceed one year no matter what you do. ![]() This isn’t an animal where you can greatly extend their lifespan even with perfect care and habitat conditions. We’ve seen some members in forums reporting inaccurate mystery snail lifespan estimate, so that’s something we want to address here. This is consistent with a lot of the other aquatic snails you find in home tanks. ![]() The average mystery snail lifespan is around one year. There have been situations where individuals have thought they were selling mystery snails, but they were another species entirely. In general, snails can cause difficulty or confusion in this regard, so make sure you’re getting yours from a trusted seller. This is due to human-assisted distribution as well as their natural durability.Īuthor Note: This is a snail that can often get mistaken for other species. This is because there tends to be an accumulation of organic plant material down there for these snails to eat.Ī lot of people don’t know that there are types of mystery snails that are considered an invasive species in some parts of the world. They spend most of their time at the bottom near the substrate. In the wild, mystery snails can be found scavenging for plant matter in various bodies of water with rivers, swamps, and ponds being the most common. You’ll sometimes see it referred to as the spike-topped apple snail or common apple snail. It originates in South America with the highest density being in Peru, Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia. The mystery snail ( Pomacea bridgesii) is an extremely popular type of freshwater snail. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |