Thursday 17 July 2008

Snail marbles


How are your snail identification skillz? Try these shells from Guano Pot cave, Chillagoe, Far North Queensland. Cave snails are usually dusted with red dirt but these are frosted with limestone.



The size and shape gave me an inkling of the species. The sculpture is visible on one of the specimens, which makes the task easier.


It's Melostrachia glomerans, a medium-sized (1 - 2 cm) camaenid that's relatively common around Chillagoe.



Cute, eh?