Habitat
Terrestrial snails of all kinds prefer to dwell in moist, shaded
areas, but can be protected from dry weather with a coiled shell
of calcium carbonate-based material
(NBII, 2011).
They can be found in a variety of habitats, including
forests, woody and leafy debris, the base of water sources, and
within rock overhangs and caves (NBII,
2011). Some differences have been
observed in habitat preferences;
Zonitoides nitidus
can be found happily living in marsh and wetland areas,
while Z. aboreus
prefers a drier habitat, such as a garden or forest (Nordseick,
2011).
Zonitoides
limatulus is especially fond of moist, muddy areas, such as
floodplains near the banks of streams and rivers
(Dourson,
2010).
Z. limatulus has been
found in Wisconsin in locations near the Mississippi river, as
shown in the map below.
Zonitoides limatulus is found mainly in the central U.S., and has been located in the states of of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, and Wisconsin (Wisconsin DNR, 2011).
How are snails like Z. limatulus able to live happily on land? ...Adaptation!