Akeridae
Akeridae is a family of small to medium-sized, air-breathing land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Limacoidea. The family is known as the “Akeridae” or “slug snails”.
Common names
Common names for Akeridae include:
- Aker snails
- Slug snails
Characteristics
Akeridae are typically characterized by their small size, elongated bodies, and lack of a shell. They have a mantle that covers the dorsal surface of the body, but it is not a shell. These snails are characterized by their large, laterally-compressed mantle, which is usually smooth, or with weak folds or wrinkles. They have well-developed tentacles, a muscular foot, and a radula, a chitinous tongue-like structure with rows of teeth that they use to scrape food.
Environments
Akeridae are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, gardens, and agricultural areas. They are typically found in moist environments, as they need to keep their skin moist to breathe. They are usually found under logs, rocks, or leaf litter, and are active at night or during wet periods. They are found worldwide in tropical and temperate regions.