Meet Medusa, My Trapdoor Snail

It’s the moss growing on her shell (actually I’m not sure if she’s a male or female) that first caught my eye, then made me name her Medusa.

I know it’s moss and not snakes, but this is the first shaggy snail shell I’ve ever seen.

She’s big too, about two inches from the front of her shell to the back.  In some ways, she’s like a Mystery snail, but she feels heavier, more grounded, less delicate in her movements and bearing.

And her mouth looks more like the long “trunk” of a Rabbit snails than the mouth of a  Mystery Snail.

If Medussa is a female she can have babies at any time.

She’ll hold onto a store of sperm and when conditions are right she gives birth to live babies, complete with shell. (just like a Rabbit Snail) She can have up to 15 babies, but usually, only 2 survive.

So if Medusa is a female and she does have babies, our tank won’t be overrun with them, like when a Mystery Snail’s eggs hatch.

I can’t get enough of Medusa.  She moves around the tank like a creature part plant and part animal.  (which is giving me an idea for a new snail potholder….)

2 thoughts on “Meet Medusa, My Trapdoor Snail

  1. When baby snails are born, do you know if their shells are hard or not? I’m thoroughly enjoying learning about these critters through your posts.

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