Chinese Mystery Snail
ExploreInvertebrate
Chinese Mystery Snail
cipangopaludina chinensis
The Chinese Mystery Snail has a beautiful, spiraled shell that can be green, brown, or yellowish. These snails enjoy living in freshwater environments like rivers and lakes.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Appearance
The Chinese Mystery Snail has a smooth, conic shell typically greenish-brown to olive, growing up to 7 cm tall. It features a distinctive dark operculum or "trapdoor" that seals its shell opening, setting it apart from many native snails.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassGastropodaOrderArchitaenioglossaFamilyViviparidaeGenusCipangopaludina
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
Believe it or not, these snails have a tongue-like ribbon covered in tiny teeth!
They can close a special "trapdoor" to hide completely inside their shell!
They can survive being buried in mud for months if their pond dries up!
Unlike most snails, mother mystery snails give birth to live baby snails!
Special abilities
Ability
Live Birth Provider
Chinese Mystery Snail can give birth to live, fully formed baby snails because of internal egg incubation, which helps them protect their young.
Ability
Shell Protector
Chinese Mystery Snail has a hard operculum (trapdoor) that helps them seal themselves completely inside their shell for safety or when conditions are bad.
Ability
Algae Cleaner
Chinese Mystery Snail can scrape algae and detritus from surfaces using a special 'tongue' because it helps them find food and keep water clear.
Measurements & details
- Average Length
- 5.5 cm
- Weight
- 15 g
- Lifespan
- 3 years
Diet & Feeding
They are peaceful grazers, munching on tiny plants and decaying bits in the water.
Primary Foods
- algae
- phytoplankton
- detritus
- diatoms
- decaying plant matter
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eaten by
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Common fish predator of various snails.
eaten by
Common Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
Turtles often prey on aquatic invertebrates like snails.
eats
Red Swamp Crayfish
Procambarus clarkii
Omnivorous crayfish will consume small aquatic invertebrates.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Asian Mystery SnailChinese Pond SnailMystery Snail
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Chinese Mystery Snail?
The easiest way to identify Chinese Mystery Snail is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Chinese Mystery Snail?
5.5 cm
How much does Chinese Mystery Snail weigh?
15 g
How long does Chinese Mystery Snail live?
3 years
What does Chinese Mystery Snail eat?
They are peaceful grazers, munching on tiny plants and decaying bits in the water.
Where is Chinese Mystery Snail usually found?
Freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds.
How does Chinese Mystery Snail hunt?
Filter Feeding
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
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