Ramshorn SnailPlanorbarius corneus
About this species
- Length
- 1.5 in
- Wingspan
- 0.75 in
From our Collectors' field notes
Diet
These snails graze on algae, uneaten food, and decaying organic matter using a specialized, scraping tongue. They almost always bypass healthy plants, choosing only to consume the rot that threatens the ecosystem.
Defense
Though they live entirely underwater, they actually lack gills. Instead, they trap air inside their shell to breathe while they scavenge. When threatened, they release this bubble of air so they drop like a rock to the safety of the pond floor.
Red Blooded
Unlike most mollusks that have copper-based blue blood, the ramshorn utilizes iron-rich hemoglobin. In albino specimens that lack dark shell pigment, this unique blood makes their entire body glow a translucent pink.
Hermaphrodites
These snails are hermaphrodites, meaning every individual carries both male and female traits. If food is abundant, two adult snails can trigger an absolute population explosion in mere weeks.
Field Marks
True to their name, their shell is flat and coiled just like a curled ram's horn. This streamlined profile allows them to navigate tight aquatic crevices and dense vegetation without getting snagged.