Kauri snail

There are two species of kauri snail:

• Paryphanta busbyi - up to 79 mm shell diameter, distribution from Kaitaia south (Northland only)
• Paryphanta watti - up to 62 mm shell diameter, distribution: northern Northland (Te Paki)

These giants were once widespread in Northland before human settlement. Many of them are now endangered or threatened, and inhabit a more restricted area of Northland and the islands offshore.

Interesting ecology

Kauri snail

• Giant snails may live to 20 years or more.
• Mating appears to be triggered by climatic conditions, such as rainfall, and can last for 10 hours or more.
• Snail hatchlings spend an unknown period living in trees and shrubs up to 6 metres above the ground.
• The kauri snail is carnivorous and cannibalistic. Its diet consists of earthworms, insects, insect larvae, and snails.
• Kauri snails are also highly mobile, and have been known to move 10 metres in 2 weeks.

Habitat

Kauri snails inhabit moist areas of forest and native scrub. They live in areas of high soil fertility and abundant earthworms.