Elephant Snail

Scutus antipodes

Sea Life Endemic IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

The Elephant Snail shell is often completely covered over by its black mantel completely hiding the shell and appreaing like a black slug.

During the day the snail is often found hiding under rocks or in crevices looking much smaller in size and exposing the shell that colours from a whiteish grey to a whiteish green.

When active mostly at night this snails size is shown often being a big black mass moving across interidal pools. This species is a member of the keyhole limpet family, where the shell often seems to be an afterthoughProtected:Elephant Snails are protected in Tasmania you are not allowed to collect or use them for bait

Identification

A black bodied snail with a greyish foot and a white shield like shell on it's back. The shell is a rectangular shaped with growth rings although in older snails this may be worn or covered with growths

Size

Shell can be up to 10cm long

Habitat

Elephant Snails are found in intertidal rock pools and subtidailly under rocks

Distribution

New Zealand. Southern mainland Australia and Tasmania

Local Sightings

2 recorded sightings in and around the area.

References & citations (2)
  1. Grove, S.J. (2018). A Guide to the Seashells and other Marine Molluscs of Tasmania web-site (accessed 2022-05-28 22:03:27)
  2. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2022-05-28 22:04:28)

Header image: CC BY-SA 4.0 © wildroo

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.