Bermuda Land Snails (Poecilozonites sp.)

The land snail genus Poecilozonites is endemic to Bermuda. The fossil record contains evidence of at least 12 different species, of which only two are currently alive; Poecilozonites circumfirmatus and Poecilozonites bermudensis. Both are the focus of conservation management which hopes to bring them back from the edge of extinction.

Lesser Bermuda Land Snail (Poecilozonites circumfirmatus)

This species is very small. Adults only grow to about 10 mm. It is considered Critically Endangered and is listed under the 2003 Protected Species Act.

Greater Bermuda Land Snail (Poecilozonites bermudensis)

Poecilozonites bermudensis is a slightly larger snail than the species above, reaching about the size of a Bermuda 25 cent coin (23 mm).

The Chester Zoo in the UK has been managing both species of snails as a precaution against extinction events on Bermuda. Read more by visiting their website.

More about Bermuda Land Snails:

• Recovery Plan for the endemic land snails of Bermuda; Poecilozonites bermudensis and Poecilozonites circumfirmatus

• Envirotalk Vol. 83 (3) Fall 2019. Bermuda’s Endemic Land Snails; 1 Million Years Old and Counting! by Mark Outerbridge.

• Poster by Dr Mark Outerbridge, Wildlife Ecologist for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - 'Rediscovery of the Greater Bermuda Land Snail'

• News article on the re-discovery of P. bermudensis: 'Extinct' snail is found in city alleyway. Royal Gazette Oct 2014

• 'Tales from the Snail Trail...Slip Sliding Away' by Robbie Smith in EnviroTalk volume 78 (3) Fall 2010.