Austrocochlea
Austrocochlea is a genus of small, air-breathing land snails that are native to Australia. They are classified under the family Camaenidae, a group of land snails widely distributed across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The genus comprises around 15 species, with varying sizes and shell patterns.
Common Names
Austrocochlea snails are commonly known as "garden snails," "brown snails," and "native snails" in Australia.
Characteristics
Austrocochlea snails have distinctive features that distinguish them from other land snails. These include:
- Shell: Their shells are typically small, ranging from 10 to 20 mm in diameter. They are usually brown or grey in color, often with spiral bands or markings. The shell is generally smooth and glossy.
- Body: The body of an Austrocochlea snail is soft and slimy, with two pairs of tentacles, the longer pair carrying eyes at the tip.
- Respiration: They breathe air through a lung, a feature that distinguishes them from aquatic snails.
Environment
Austrocochlea snails are commonly found in gardens, parks, and other moist environments. They prefer areas with plenty of vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, and ground cover. They are often active at night and during damp weather.