Living On The Edge

Introduction

Species in Recovery

Success Stories

Endangered Animals

Endangered Plants

Counties were Species
Can be viewed

Description: The Iowa Pleistocene land snail is about one-fourth inch in diameter as an adult. The shell is tightly coiled and almost dome-shaped. Shell color is brown or greenish-white.

Habitat and Habits: This species is limited to cold air talus slopes. Air circulation and water infiltration into fractured rock formations produce underground ice which slowly melts during summer, producing a constant flow of cold moist air which filters through the rock talus. These slopes provide a habitat that is unique because temperature changes are much less than adjacent areas both during summer and winter. The Iowa Pleistocene land snail may produce multiple broods with the average number of eggs being three. The eggs are laid under fallen logs, in moist rock crevices and in the soil. Because of the patchy distribution of cold air slopes, there is little possibility for natural colonization or recolonization of slopes presently devoid of snails.

Photographer:Ron Johnson

Distribution: The Iowa Pleistocene land snail is currently known only in Illinois and Iowa, with all but one of the known populations occurring in Iowa. There are about 30 known sites for this species in Iowa.

Conservation Efforts: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and The Nature Conservancy are working with landowners and are acquiring the most important slopes to ensure the long-term survival of this species.

Reasons For Listing: Human-caused disturbances such as overgrazing, logging, road construction and quarrying have all reduced the habitat available for the Iowa Pleistocene land sail.