Rare New Zealand snail filmed laying an egg from its neck for first time
The strange reproductive habits of a large, carnivorous New Zealand snail were once shrouded in mystery. Now footage of the snail laying an egg from its neck has been captured for the first time, the country's conservation agency said Wednesday.
What looks like a tiny hen's egg is seen emerging from an opening below the head of the Powelliphanta augusta snail, a threatened species endemic to New Zealand.
The video was taken at a facility on the South Island's West Coast, where conservation rangers attempting to save the species from extinction have cared for a population of the snails in chilled containers for nearly two decades.
The conditions in the containers mimic the alpine weather in their only former habitat — a remote mountain they were named for, on the West Coast of the South Island, that has been engulfed by mining.
Lisa Flanagan from the Department of Conservation, who has worked with the creatures for 12 years, said the species still holds surprises.
'It's remarkable that in all the time we've spent caring for the snails, this is the first time we've seen one lay an egg,' she said in a statement.
Like other snails, Powelliphanta augusta are hermaphrodites, which explains how the creatures can reproduce when encased in a hard shell. The invertebrate uses a genital pore on the right side of its body, just below the head, to simultaneously exchange sperm with another snail, which is stored until each creates an egg.
Each snail takes eight years to reach sexual maturity, after which it lays about five eggs a year. The egg can take more than a year to hatch.
'Some of our captive snails are between 25 and 30 years old,' said Flanagan. 'They're polar opposites to the pest garden snail we introduced to New Zealand, which is like a weed, with thousands of offspring each year and a short life.'
The dozens of species and subspecies of Powelliphanta snails are only found in New Zealand, mostly in rugged forest and grassland settings where they are threatened by habitat loss.
They are carnivores that slurp up earthworms like noodles, and are some of the world's largest snails , with oversized, distinctive shells in a range of rich earth colors and swirling patterns.
The Powelliphanta augusta was the center of public uproar and legal proceedings in the early 2000s, when an energy company's plans to mine for coal threatened to destroy the snails' habitat.
Some 4,000 were removed from the site and relocated, while 2,000 more were housed in chilled storage in the West Coast town of Hokitika to ensure the preservation of the species, which is slow to breed and doesn't adapt well to new habitats.
In 2011, some 800 of the snails accidentally died in a Department of Conservation refrigerator with faulty temperature control.
But the species' slow survival continues: In March this year, there were nearly 1,900 snails and nearly 2,200 eggs in captivity, the conservation agency said.
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The Hindu
12-05-2025
- The Hindu
Rare New Zealand snail filmed laying an egg from its neck for first time
The strange reproductive habits of a large, carnivorous New Zealand snail were once shrouded in mystery. Now footage of the snail laying an egg from its neck has been captured for the first time, the country's conservation agency said Wednesday. What looks like a tiny hen's egg is seen emerging from an opening below the head of the Powelliphanta augusta snail, a threatened species endemic to New Zealand. The video was taken at a facility on the South Island's West Coast, where conservation rangers attempting to save the species from extinction have cared for a population of the snails in chilled containers for nearly two decades. The conditions in the containers mimic the alpine weather in their only former habitat — a remote mountain they were named for, on the West Coast of the South Island, that has been engulfed by mining. Lisa Flanagan from the Department of Conservation, who has worked with the creatures for 12 years, said the species still holds surprises. 'It's remarkable that in all the time we've spent caring for the snails, this is the first time we've seen one lay an egg,' she said in a statement. Like other snails, Powelliphanta augusta are hermaphrodites, which explains how the creatures can reproduce when encased in a hard shell. The invertebrate uses a genital pore on the right side of its body, just below the head, to simultaneously exchange sperm with another snail, which is stored until each creates an egg. Each snail takes eight years to reach sexual maturity, after which it lays about five eggs a year. The egg can take more than a year to hatch. 'Some of our captive snails are between 25 and 30 years old,' said Flanagan. 'They're polar opposites to the pest garden snail we introduced to New Zealand, which is like a weed, with thousands of offspring each year and a short life.' The dozens of species and subspecies of Powelliphanta snails are only found in New Zealand, mostly in rugged forest and grassland settings where they are threatened by habitat loss. They are carnivores that slurp up earthworms like noodles, and are some of the world's largest snails , with oversized, distinctive shells in a range of rich earth colors and swirling patterns. The Powelliphanta augusta was the center of public uproar and legal proceedings in the early 2000s, when an energy company's plans to mine for coal threatened to destroy the snails' habitat. Some 4,000 were removed from the site and relocated, while 2,000 more were housed in chilled storage in the West Coast town of Hokitika to ensure the preservation of the species, which is slow to breed and doesn't adapt well to new habitats. In 2011, some 800 of the snails accidentally died in a Department of Conservation refrigerator with faulty temperature control. But the species' slow survival continues: In March this year, there were nearly 1,900 snails and nearly 2,200 eggs in captivity, the conservation agency said.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
Rare snail lays eggs from its neck, scientists capture it on video
Nature often tells some amazing secrets that go unnoticed for decades, and among its many rare creatures is a giant carnivorous land snail that has managed to cling to survival despite habitat loss and environmental difficulties. These snails belong to a species known for their unusual anatomy and bizarre mating behaviours. What sets them apart is not just their diet or size, but the complex reproductive process they undergo, and this trait of the snail has puzzled scientists for years. Scientists have worked hard to protect this endangered species by going to great lengths in order to breed and raise them in captivity after their native habitat was devastated. And now, after nearly two decades of dedicated care, researchers have witnessed a moment that had never been seen before. Operation Sindoor Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand 'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump For the first time in 20 years, a captive Mount Augustus snail was caught on video laying an egg. This small yet extraordinary event marks a significant milestone for conservationists and sheds light on the reproductive mysteries of one of New Zealand's rarest snails. The footage, described as 'awe-inspiring,' captures more than just a biological function—it captures hope for a species on the brink. A rare and precious moment Scientists in New Zealand have for the first time made a massive discovery where, after years of conservation efforts, they were able to spot a Mount Augustus snail laying an egg and that to from its neck! These giant carnivorous land snails are native only to Mount Augustus on the West Coast of New Zealand, and are an endangered species that nearly vanished after their natural habitat was destroyed by a coal mining operation. In response, the country's Department of Conservation (DOC) began breeding and raising the snails in captivity in Hokitika in 2006, hoping to preserve and eventually restore the species. Despite almost two decades of close monitoring, the egg-laying process had remained a mystery, but only until now. 'It's remarkable that in all the time we've spent caring for the snails, this is the first time we've seen one lay an egg,' said DOC ranger Lisa Flanagan in a statement. 'We caught the action when we were weighing the snail. We turned it over to be weighed and saw the egg just starting to emerge from the snail.' as reported by New Zealand DOC. Powelliphanta augusta snail laying an egg The species' reproductive biology is just as interesting as the event itself. Like many land snails, P. augusta is hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female sexual organs. This means each snail can mate with any other, or even fertilize itself. How do snails mate? 'To have sex, the snails use a genital pore under their neck. It extends its penis out of this pore and into its mate's pore, and its mate does the same, simultaneously exchanging sperm, which they can store until they each fertilize the sperm they've received to create eggs,' Flanagan explained. The snails take an extraordinary eight years to reach sexual maturity, and once they do, their reproductive rate is modest, laying only around five eggs per year. Each egg can take up to a year to hatch, making their slow breeding process a significant challenge for conservation. The recent egg-laying sighting has reignited hope. The DOC has been steadily working to boost the species' numbers, even releasing some back into the wild. However, due to their low reproductive rate and fragile population, the majority remain under human care. With lifespans that can reach up to 30 years in captivity, the snails have a long window for reproduction if all conditions are right.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Rare moment caught on camera: Snail lays eggs through its neck in viral video
An extremely rare moment was caught on camera of a snail laying an egg from its neck. The moment was recorded by an employee of New Zealand's Department of Conservation. The organisation shared a Facebook video showing the fascinating reproduction of the large carnivorous snail, Powelliphanta augusta. A snail laying an egg through its neck. (Facebook/@Department of Conservation) 'DOC has been managing this captive population in chilled containers in Hokitika since 2006, when work began to mine the majority of their habitat on the West Coast of the South Island,' DOC wrote, while posting the video. 'The captive management of Powelliphanta augusta has not only saved the species from extinction, but it's allowed us to learn more about the lives of these incredible creatures found nowhere else in the world,' it added. Take a look at the video of a snail laying an egg: 'It's remarkable that in all the time we've spent caring for the snails, this is the first time we've seen one lay an egg. We caught the action when we were weighing the snail. We turned it over to be weighed and saw the egg just starting to emerge from the snail,' said DOC Ranger Lisa Flanagan, who also filmed the creature, in a statement. How do snails mate and lay eggs? 'Powelliphanta have solved this by having an opening (a genital pore) on the right side of their body just below their head so that the snail only needs to peek out of its shell to do the business,' said DOC Senior Science Advisor Kath Walker. Also Read: Snake mistaken as male gives birth to 14 snakelets in rare incident: 'Virgin birth' 'It extends its penis out of this pore and into its mate's pore, and its mate does the same, simultaneously exchanging sperm, which they can store until they each fertilise the sperm they've received to create eggs,' Walker continued. 'As hermaphrodites, they have both male and female genitalia, so although they usually mate with another to cross fertilise their eggs, as carnivores which have to live at relatively low density, being able to occasionally self-fertilise must help with survival of the species,' the senior science advisor added. About the snails at DOC: Flanagan explained, 'Powelliphanta augusta are slow growing and long lived, not being sexually mature until they are about 8 years old and then laying only around 5 big eggs annually which can take more than a year to hatch. Some of our captive snails are between 25 and 30 years old – in this they're polar opposites to the pest garden snail we introduced to New Zealand which is like a weed, with thousands of offspring each year and a short life.' DOC has also reintroduced new populations of these snails in the wild. They are working to create a sustainable population of the species in the wild.
