Greater Bermuda Land Snail (Poecilozonites bermudensis)
Juvenile P. bermudensis snail (Photo by Dr Mark Outerbridge)
The Greater Bermuda Land Snail was considered extinct by the 1990's, until its rediscovery by an intern at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) in 2000. Live specimens were confirmed in four locations across the island in 2002 and the survival of the species at two locations seems promising.
However, by 2006, no live species could be found at any of the locations where they had been seen.
Adult P. bermudensis (Photo by Dr Mark Outerbridge)
Endemic to Bermuda, the Greater Bermuda Land Snail is listed as Critically Endangered, as per IUCN criteria, under the Protected Species Act 2003.
It is believed that this snail was once very common and widespread. Fossils and living specimens have been recorded across the island (Bieler and Slapcinsky, 2000).
Habitat Requirements
Generally found in upland coastal habitats, such as Spittal Pond, on the underside of loose rocks, in leaf litter. They require a moist habitat to survive.
Threats