Rare snail lays eggs from its neck, scientists capture it on video

Time of India

11-05-2025

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.
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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.