Giant Rainforest Snail
Scientific Name
Hadra webbi
Conservation Status
This species has not been assessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
This animal can not visit your location
for a presentation.
This animal is not used for Wilbur’s Wildlife event displays.
This animal is not on show during private zoo tours.
Our Animals
As part of some changes to our invertebrate collections and programs Wilbur’s Wildlife ceased keeping giant rainforest snails during early 2018. Prior to this move we successfully bred this species for the first time. This page has been kept available for educational purposes.
We do still keep the similarly related species the Fraser’s banded snail. We also keep Australia’s largest land snail, the giant panda snail.
Appearance
Rainforest snails are a variety of mollusc. Their body consists of two parts. These are the shell which is a hard covering which they carry on their back. The other section is the foot which is a soft, fleshy body which contains all their organs. At the front of the foot are two pairs of tentacles. The larger of these pairs is the eyes while the other pair is the feelers.
Their shell diameter may be up to 70mm.
Lifespan
Giant rainforest snails live for an average of 5 years.
Diet
The giant rainforest snail is an omnivore. They feed mostly of fungi and plants. On occasion they will scavenge dead animal’s.
At Wilbur’s Wildlife ours eat a range of vegetables such as carrot and cucumber. They are also feed mushrooms. To keep their shell healthy, we feed our snails cuttlebone.
Habitat
The Giant rainforest snail is native to Northern Australia. Here they make their home in the tropical rainforests.
Reproduction
Giant rainforest snails, like most snail species are hermaphroditic. Following mating both snails produce eggs but are not capable of reproducing on their own.
Mating occurs throughout spring and summer. Most instances of mating occur at night. Following mating the eggs are laid in a shallow hole which the snails dig or under logs. Clutch size is between 20 and 30. It takes 3-6 weeks for hatching to occur. This is dependent on a range of environmental factors.
Following hatching baby snails are only 1-2cm in diameter and are see-through.
Behaviour
Giant rainforest snails are most active in low light.
When threatened they will retreat in to their shell to hide. They can also retreat in to their shell to help avoid dehydration.
They take shelter under leaf litter or logs.
Quick Facts
In several places around the world snail racing has become a popular sport.
References
Snail-world.com. (2018). Snail Facts and Information. [online] Available at: https://www.snail-world.com/ [Accessed 14 Jul. 2018].
Henderson, A., Henderson, D. and Sinclair, J. (2012). Bugs alive. Melbourne: Museum Victoria.
Minibeast Wildlife, (n.d), Care guide Rainforest Snail, Hadra webbi and Fraser’s Banded Snail, Sphaerospira fraseri, n.c, Minibeast Wildlife.