# Volcano Snail (*Newcombia cumingi*)

The Volcano Snail is a tiny snail that lives near volcanic areas. It has a special shell that helps it survive in hot environments.

- **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Volcanic

![Volcano Snail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Newcombia_cumingi_2.jpg&width=800)

Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Pacific Region's Photo Credit: Hank Oppenheimer, Plant Extinction Prevention Program., CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Newcombia_cumingi_2.jpg)

## Appearance

The Volcano Snail has a uniquely armored shell that is dark, often black or metallic brown, due to iron sulfide deposits. Its shell can be smooth or covered in spiky scales, giving it a rugged appearance. A fleshy, often yellowish-red foot extends from the opening, contrasting with its dark shell.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Mollusca
- **Class:** Gastropoda
- **Family:** Achatinellidae
- **Genus:** Newcombia

## Interesting facts

- It can survive crushing pressures that would flatten a submarine!
- It was only discovered in 1999, making it a relatively new find!
- Its shell can have up to three layers, with the outermost made of iron!
- This snail lives miles deep in the ocean, near scorching hot volcanic vents!

## Special abilities

- **Iron-Clad Armor:** Volcano Snail has an iron-sulfide shell that helps them resist crushing pressure and protects them from predators.
- **Self-Sustaining Energy:** Volcano Snail can host special bacteria inside that make food from chemicals, helping them survive in the deep.
- **Extreme Heat Tolerance:** Volcano Snail can live in super-hot water because it has special proteins that protect its cells.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 20-45 mm
- **Lifespan:** 1825-3650 days
- **Leg Count:** 0

## Diet & Feeding

Feeds on tiny microbes inside its body, making its own food from chemicals.

- **Primary Foods:** sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, methane-oxidizing bacteria, dissolved chemicals
- **Foraging Method:** Null

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** iron-oxidizing bacteria (*Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans*) — bacteria live inside its body
- **Eaten by:** vent crab (*Bythograea thermydron*) — large crabs prey on snails
- **Eaten by:** vent shrimp (*Alvinocaris markensis*) — shrimp might consume snails

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.
- [Volcanic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/volcanic): This habitat trait describes species found in volcanic regions, including areas with recent lava flows, volcanic ash, or on volcanic islands, often characterized by unique soil compositions.
- [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
- [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

If you see a Volcano Snail, admire it from a safe distance and never touch it.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Volcano Snail?

Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How big is Volcano Snail?

20-45 mm

### How long does Volcano Snail live?

1825-3650 days

### What does Volcano Snail eat?

Feeds on tiny microbes inside its body, making its own food from chemicals.

### Where is Volcano Snail usually found?

Volcanic

### How does Volcano Snail hunt?

Null

### How many legs does Volcano Snail have?

0

## More Invertebrate

- [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral)
- [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*)
- [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*)
- [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*)

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Source: [Volcano Snail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/volcano-snail)