A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Terrycarlessia turbinata
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/509... This specimen, however, was very-much alive. The weight was considerable, although the inhabitant was in hiding.
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-...
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.
2 Comments
Thanks, Mark. The red colour was a real surprise. Next time I hope to see who's at home.
Amazing with the light through. I've never heard of these. Great spotting.