Habitat
Stenotrema hisutum usually inhabits forests near river valleys where there is growth of oak, hickory, and box elder trees. It is often found under and inside of logs, under forest debris, and by washed up brush. The Stenotrema hisutum seems to prefer wet conditions, but it has been seen in dry conditions as well (Lee, 1952).
Tests of the soils on which Stenotrema hirsutum was found indicated that it usually occurred on soils rich in lime and having a pH range that is alkaline (Lee, 1952). According to this study done in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the snails preferred a pH between 7.5 and 8.5. In the soil with a pH of 7.5, twenty-four snails were found. In the soil with a pH of 8, forty-three snails were found. This preference for sites where lime is abundant seems to indicate that this species is calciphilic (Lee, 1952).
The living animals were usually associated with down timber and they were observed generally in the vicinity of rotting logs, boards or bark chips (Lee, 1952). The best habitat appeared to be a flood plain above the high water mark of flood stage of a neighboring stream. Thriving colonies were found in sparsely wooded regions that permitted considerable sunlight to fall on the zone inhabited by the snails (Lee, 1952). Some states where this species has been found include: AL, CT, DC, DE, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WI, WV (NatureServe Explorer, 2010).
Since all of the specimens taken were found under cover and during the hours of daylight it seems likely that the species is nocturnal (Lee, 1952).
Other organisms that prefer the same kind of habitat include snakes, insects, earthworms, salamanders, fireflies, other snails, and many more!
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