As seen on the Classification page, members of the family Ellobiidae often habitat salt marshes primarily along tropical and subtropical coasts. Animals residing in the subfamily Carychiidae are referred to as thorn snails and demonstrate a terrestrial development, a possible evolutionary path characterized by the transition from sea to dry land without going through fresh water. In general, they habitat wet biotopes, mostly near water, where it lives under moss, wood, and stones.

Carychium exile, or commonly named the Ice Thorn snail, habitats wooded hillsides and talus slopes and can usually be found on the surfaces of rotting leaves in damp leaf litter. Leaf litter often can be found in forest ravines and the entrance to caves, preferred habitats for the ice thorn. It is widely distributed throughout the eastern half of North America, including the Great Lakes Region and has been reported at cave entrances in the Midwest and southeast.

The area identified in this map corresponds to the deciduous forest region of North america, where wooded hillsides, talus slopes, and rotting leaves in damp leaf litter can be found. Along with the Ice Thorn snail, many other organisms can be found interacting throughout this habitat. For more information about this, proceed to the Interactions page found on this website.