Pacific Tree Snails

Facts

IUCN EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW)

Facts about this animal

Most Partula snails live in trees, in densely forested, high altitude volcanic regions of South Pacific islands. Some are found at lower altitudes, living in banana trees or on bamboo stalks. All species require a moist, rather than dry habitat. Older snails tend to live higher up in trees than do young individuals

Partula are ovoviviparous, i.e. , instead of eggs being laid, the young hatch inside the parent and the parent gives birth to living young snails. Like other pulmonate land snails the Pacific tree snails also are hermaphroditic animals.

The diet of Pacific tree snails most likely consists of decaying plants and on microscopic plants that they find on the larger plants where they live.

Did you know?
that the biggest threat to the survival of Pacific tree snails is the introduction of the carnivorous Florida rosy wolf predatory snail (Euglandina rosea) to South Pacific islands? These carnivorous snails have often been introduced in order to curb populations of Giant African snails, another species introduced to the islands, which causes damage to banana plantations. The carnivorous snails often prey instead on the smaller native Partula snails and are rapidly exterminating them.

Factsheet
Class	GASTROPODA
Order	STYLOMMATOPHORA
Suborder	ORTHURETHRA
Family	PARTULIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Partula spp.
Name (English)	Pacific Tree Snails
Name (French)	Escargots de Partula
Name (German)	Pazifische Baumschnecken
Name (Spanish)	Caracoles Partula
CITES Status	Not listed
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Dave Clarke

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Polynesia (92 species), Melanesia (20 species) and Micronesia (11 species)
Habitat	Moist forest trees
Wild population	The current wild status is in the process of being re-evaluated.
Zoo population	International studbook (WAZA - ISB) for 20 species, established in 1986 and kept at London Zoo, with regional zoo programmes: EEP (EAZA) and SSP (AZA). EEP (EAZA): 11 participating institutions, SSP (AZA): 4 participating institutions. Species are managed at target levels of 250 adult snails. The total population of all species managed at Dec 31, 2007 is about 7940 animals.

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport of terrestrial snails Container Note 58 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Carole Hickman

Why do zoos keep this animal

36 of the extant Pacific tree snails are either Extinct in the Wild, Critically Edangered, or Endangered. Zoos therefore have engaged in the ex situ breeding of 25 of these species. Under the umbrella of WAZA an International Studbook is kept by the Zoological Society of London, and there are coordinated ex situ breeding programmes in Europe and North America. So far there has been an experimental reintroduction project involving three species. Programme member institutions have provided funding and technical assistance to in situ conservation projects.

How this animal should be kept

Almost all institutions breeding Partula snails house them in plastic boxes, mostly with a size of 15 cm x 10 cm x 6 cm high. At Jersey Zoo they are kept in glass viviaria measuring 23 cm x 27 cm x 36 cm high with a quarter of the ceiling is of plastic mesh to allow for air circulation. Up to five adult snails are kept in smaller containers, up to 200 snails of all ages in the Jersey-type viviaria.

The usual floor covering is one or two layers of tissue paper or paper towel.

Temperature should usually be maintained within the range of 20-25 °C, although for shorter periods of time may be a bit lower or higher. If permanently kept at temperatures above 25 °C, mortality will increase significantly. Exposure to ultraviolet light might be beneficial to the survivial of juveniles, but this is not definitely proven. Most collections use Truelite or Gro-Lux tubes for lighting. Containers should be regularly sprayed, or some water added to maintain a humidity of 50-70 %.

Most institutions follow the ”Nottingham” diet composed of powdered cuttlebone or chalk, porridge oats, dried grass powder, powdered trout pellets and vitamin supplement high in vitamin E. Water quality is another important factor. Preferably distilled water should be used.

The containers should be cleaned two or three times per week using water and avoiding disinfectants.

The total time required to service 1000+ snails is about 3-4 h per week.