I was at a family reunion yesterday up in Shelton, near the peninsula of Washington state and found these really big snails out on the lake. There were easily a thousand of them near the little stream that fed into it, and as you got farther out in the water you could see more and more. Since there were so many, I decided to grab four of them. I have them in a ten gallon right now with just them and a filter, no substrate or anything right now just bare bottom.
Anyway, I have become curious as to what they are and have been searching for an idea all day today (since about 7 am). So I have two questions:
1. Does anyone know where I can find a list of snail species for Washington State or the United States in General?
2. Does anyone have an idea of what they are?
So far I have learned that, they are most likely in the Viviparidae family and not Apple Snails that have been introduced (although there are a few cases in Washington). I know this because it lacks the siphon. I also know that there are 19 Species of Viviparidae in the US, some of which are not native, but I can't remember how many.
I have included pictures of this little guy. I couldn't get one with his face out cuz he is still really shy and hides as soon as I come near the glass.
I had to use my phone for the pics so please excuse their quality.
Their mantles are a light brown with dark brown freckles on their faces. The largest one is two inches across and they range from an olive green to a darker almost brown color. As you can see they have some shell damage as well.
They went crazy for that algae wafer when I wasnt looking . . .
Anyway, I have become curious as to what they are and have been searching for an idea all day today (since about 7 am). So I have two questions:
1. Does anyone know where I can find a list of snail species for Washington State or the United States in General?
2. Does anyone have an idea of what they are?
So far I have learned that, they are most likely in the Viviparidae family and not Apple Snails that have been introduced (although there are a few cases in Washington). I know this because it lacks the siphon. I also know that there are 19 Species of Viviparidae in the US, some of which are not native, but I can't remember how many.
I have included pictures of this little guy. I couldn't get one with his face out cuz he is still really shy and hides as soon as I come near the glass.
I had to use my phone for the pics so please excuse their quality.
Their mantles are a light brown with dark brown freckles on their faces. The largest one is two inches across and they range from an olive green to a darker almost brown color. As you can see they have some shell damage as well.
They went crazy for that algae wafer when I wasnt looking . . .
