Whereas Africa has its Big Five — the large mammals that tourists want to see — Eungella has its Big Three. Oh, yes, people may claim they're visiting Broken River to watch platypus but I think we all know what they're really here for — the snails Sphaerospira informis (Camaenidae), Pandofella whitei (Caryodidae) and Fastosarion superba (Helicarionidae).
I could only tick off one from my list this time: Fastosarion. These big semi-slugs like to spend the day in the rolled bases of palm fronds, where they are protected from desiccation. That's where I found these two.
Helicarionids are characterised by a thin, often transparent shell and a tail that looks as though it is folded vertically. Most species are semi-slugs in which the shell covers the organs of the visceral mass but is too small to accommodate the head and foot. Helicarionid semi-slugs are common in closed forests of the east coast but few are as spectacular as F. superba. (It's a relative measure.)
These two were rather sluggish. (Sorry.) Denis at Nature of Robertson has photos of a southern NSW helicarionid out and about. Imagine a semi-slug about three times as long and you've got the idea!
