It's day five of Aquatic Week!

April 2, 2020

It's day five of Aquatic Week! Of all the critters I've photographed for this week's updates, these little guys were probably the most cooperative. These small aquatic snails are almost certainly from the family Pleuroceridae, which are only found in Eastern North America. Most snails in this family live in streams and rivers, although a handful of species are adapted to living in lakes and reservoirs. These snails have what's known as an "operculum," which is sort of like a trapdoor that allows the snail to completely seal itself up within its shell to deter predators. The operculum is connected to the snail's foot and is pulled closed when the snail retreats into its shell. They scrape algae off of rocks using their radula, which is a ribbon-like tongue studded with tiny teeth. Snails are sensitive to pollution, so if you find small freshwater snails like these in your creek, you can rest assured that you have a healthy ecosystem! #BenInNature

About this post: Social distancing can be difficult, but the next few weeks present a great opportunity to become reacquainted with nature. While he is working from home, Administrator of Science Ben Williams is venturing outdoors each day to record a snapshot of the unique sights that can be found in the natural world.

This post brought to you by VMNH supporters Janet & Richard Ashby.