New Zealand Mud Snail

 

http://www.protectyourwaters.net/hitchhikers/mollusks_new_zealand_mudsnail.php















 These tiny invasive snails have been in Washington since 2002, they were originally discovered in the Columbia River. Since then they have been found in Olympia's Capitol Lake and tributaries of Lake Washington They are typically between 4-6mm and have 5 to 6 whorls on their shells.

These snails are dangerous to local ecosystems because they can live in a variety of environments and reproduce so quickly that they out compete native organisms that play a key role in the food chain.

New Zealand Mud Snail's current distribution throughout America.

 

http://www.protectyourwaters.net/hitchhikers/mollusks_new_zealand_mudsnail.php

This species has also been placed on the Washington Invasive Species Council's priority list information these animals, how to prevent their spread, and what to do if you find them can be found on the councils New Zealand Mud Snail page, linked here.

http://www.invasivespecies.wa.gov/priorities/NewZealandMudSnail.shtml

Further Reading

This is the page for New Zealand Mud Snails on Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! A site designed to educate the public on a variety of aquatic invasive species throughout the United States. It is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard

http://www.protectyourwaters.net/hitchhikers/mollusks_new_zealand_mudsnail.php