Invertebrate
Amphidromus perversus
Amphidromus perversusAlso known as Perverse Tree Snail
Amphidromus perversus is a colorful arboreal land snail renowned for chiral dimorphism, producing populations that contain both left-coiled and right-coiled shells. These snails spend their entire lives in forest canopies, gliding along tree trunks and leaves to graze on microscopic epiphytes. When dry periods arrive, individuals seal themselves against the bark with a protective layer of dried mucus to conserve moisture until the rains return.
ArborealHerbivorousTropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyCorticolous lichens, Microscopic green algae, Fungal spores
Predators
- Forest birds
- Carnivorous snails
- Small arboreal rodents
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, and overcollection for the shell trade
HabitatsTropical moist lowland forests, secondary woodlands, and rural orchards
Life span3–6 years
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.
Responsible observation
- Canopy spotting: Search smooth-barked trees and large leaves during humid periods after heavy rainfall.
- Gentle watching: Avoid pulling live snails from bark, as forceful removal can fatally injure their muscular foot.
Same Genus Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Same Genus Angela Schmitz-Ornés / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
Same Family Tomlin, 1938 / CC0 · cc0
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