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Glossy Turban Carnivorous Snail
Terrycarlessia turbinata
-26.8742, 151.575
Field Notes
Description:
The Glossy Turban Carnivorous Snail belongs to a family (Rhytididae) whose members prey on invertebrates such as earthworms and also on other snails. Some are even cannabalistic, devouring smaller individuals of their own species. It is an Australian native. My previous spotting was of a bleached remnant shell - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/509156010 This specimen, however, was very-much alive. The weight was considerable, although the inhabitant was in hiding.
Habitat:
Subtropical rainforest. Found beneath moist leaf litter on the Westcliff Track, Bunya Mountains National Park, southeast Queensland. Here's some park info - http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bunya-mountains/culture.html
Notes:
These large land snails are favourites of the native Noisy Pitta birds (Pitta versicolor), which smash the shells against rocks to feed on the flesh. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noisy_pitta PS: The reference link says "bad request", but please ignore this. It will still take you to the site required, that being the Queensland Museum.
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