Species · GBIF taxon 8823723
Amphidromus perversus
amphidromus perversusAlso known as Perverse Amphidromus, Left-handed Tree Snail, Indonesian Tree Snail
These striking arboreal snails are famous for their color polymorphism and unique shell-coiling habits, where left-handed and right-handed individuals coexist within the same forest canopy. They spend their lives clinging to the bark of tropical trees, scraping away microscopic algae and lichens with their specialized radula. During the dry season, they seal themselves to leaves or branches using a hardened mucus membrane to prevent moisture loss.
ArborealColorfulPolymorphic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Lichens
- Microalgae
- Fungi
Predators
- Birds
- Rodents
- Lizards
ThreatsDeforestation and over-collection for the shell trade
HabitatsTropical rainforests and wooded gardens
Life span3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderStylommatophora
- FamilyCamaenidae
- GenusAmphidromus
- Speciesamphidromus perversus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for bright yellow, white, or banded shells on tree trunks, often with a mix of left- and right-handed coils.
- Support conservation
- Never remove live snails from their host trees or disturb their resting positions.
Responsible observation
- Look Up: Search the undersides of leaves and tree trunks in humid tropical forests.
- Do Not Collect: Leave live snails and empty shells in place to protect local populations.
- Watch the Slime: Observe their slow movement on wet bark after a warm rain.
Close Relative Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Angela Schmitz-Ornés / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
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