Rounded Snail

gonyodiscus rotundatus

The Rounded Snail (Gonyodiscus rotundatus) is a small, fascinating terrestrial gastropod widely distributed across Europe and introduced to parts of North America. Often overlooked due to its tiny size, this miniature mollusk is a marvel of intricate geometry, featuring a tightly coiled, disc-shaped shell with prominent ribs and beautifully pattern-marked whorls. It thrives in damp, shaded environments such as woodlands, gardens, and decaying log piles, where it plays a critical role in the decomposition cycle. By feeding on detritus, fungi, and decaying plants, the Rounded Snail helps recycle organic nutrients back into the soil, keeping its micro-ecosystem healthy. Despite its slow pace, it is highly adaptable and resilient, making it a common find for observant nature enthusiasts looking closely at the forest floor.

Lebensraum: Typically found in moist, shaded environments such as deciduous woodlands, gardens, parks, and waste ground, often hiding under logs, stones, leaf litter, and loose bark.

Aussehen

The Rounded Snail features a small, strongly flattened, disc-shaped shell measuring between 5 to 7 millimeters in diameter. Its shell is yellowish-brown to grayish-brown, accented by a distinctive pattern of regular, alternating reddish-brown spots or streaks along the whorls. The surface of the shell is highly textured with prominent, close-set radial ribs. Beneath, it displays a very wide, deep umbilicus (the central cavity on the underside of the shell). The body of the snail is typically a dark bluish-gray to charcoal color, with two pairs of tentacles extending from its head.

ReichAnimaliaStammMolluscaKlasseGastropodaOrdnungStylommatophoraFamilieDiscidaeGattungGonyodiscus

Rounded Snail

Kategorie

Invertebrate

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Its scientific name, Gonyodiscus rotundatus, highlights its appearance: 'Gonyodiscus' refers to its angled, disc-like shell, and 'rotundatus' means rounded.

They possess a microscopic ribbon of teeth called a radula, which has dozens of rows of tiny teeth used to scrape food off decaying wood.

Unlike many snails that prefer climbing plants, the Rounded Snail is highly ground-dwelling and rarely ventures high up on vegetation.

Besondere Fähigkeiten

During hot or dry periods, the snail can seal its shell opening with a temporary mucus membrane called an epiphragm to prevent dehydration.

Its textured, ribbed shell readily collects fine dirt and organic debris, helping it blend seamlessly into the soil and leaf litter to avoid predators.

This species has a high tolerance for heavy metals in its diet, allowing it to accumulate and lock away soil toxins without suffering immediate harm.

Maße und Details

Länge: 0+ cm
Gewicht: 0+ kg
Lebenserwartung: 1+ Jahre
Gelegegröße: 10+
Brutzeit: 15+ Tage

Ernährung und Fütterung

The Rounded Snail primarily feeds on decaying plant matter, fungi, and algae, acting as an essential decomposer in its ecosystem.

Hauptnahrung

Decaying leaves
Fungi
Algae
Lichens
Detritus

Nahrungssuche

Grazing

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelos

Commonly preyed upon by songbirds who crack open their shells against rocks.

eaten by

Common Glow-worm

Lampyris noctiluca

Predated heavily by glow-worm larvae which inject paralyzing digestive enzymes.

competitor

Cellar Snail

Oxychilus cellarius

Competes for decaying organic matter and shelter in damp crevices.

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Sicherheit

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Wie identifiziert man Rounded Snail?

Der einfachste Weg, Rounded Snail zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.

Was ist der/die/das länge von Rounded Snail?

0+ cm

Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Rounded Snail?

0+ kg

Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Rounded Snail?

1+ Jahre

Was frisst Rounded Snail?

The Rounded Snail primarily feeds on decaying plant matter, fungi, and algae, acting as an essential decomposer in its ecosystem.

Wo findet man Rounded Snail normalerweise?

Typically found in moist, shaded environments such as deciduous woodlands, gardens, parks, and waste ground, often hiding under logs, stones, leaf litter, and loose bark.

Wie jagt Rounded Snail?

Grazing

Was ist der/die/das gelegegröße von Rounded Snail?

10+