By Annette J Beveridge
The giant magnolia snail had been thought extinct before living specimens were found in southern Vietnam in 2012.
Classified as Critically Endangered, it is believed there are as few as 300 of the left-coiling snails left in the world, with eight snails at Longleat and just 56 in European zoological collections.
Snails are hermaphrodites, so they have both male and female genitals, but did you know they don’t have ears?
Snails may not be on everyone’s list of exciting animals, but at six-and-a-half centimetres, these snails are one of the rarest animals at Longleat in Wiltshire.
Keeper Samantha Peeke said: “They are kept in a sterile environment to protect them, and each has an ID tag. We are hoping they will start breeding which will be incredible for the species.
“Until relatively recently, they were thought to be extinct before being found in a small area of forest in Vietnam. The biggest threat to their survival is being used for food and the shell trade.”
The snails will soon be on display to the public in the Animal Adventure area of the Park.
Samantha added: “We need to keep them at temperatures of 23-27°c and they are eating fruit and vegetables with mango being a favourite. They are weighing in at around 100 grams, with our biggest 66mm and are two and a half years old, so at the right size and age for breeding.
“They are beautiful animals and having them at Longleat is wonderful as we can show our guests how we care for all animals, whatever their size.”
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