Habitat

Terrestrial snails like Guppya sterkii are limited to the type of habitat that they can have (Wisconsin DNR, 2011).  They are restricted in habitat range by their need for humidity, shelter, and calcium in the soil (Hickman et al. 2009).   Therefore, this species is one that greatly prefers crawling on the ground among moist leaf litter and on or under woody debris (Wisconsin DNR, 2011).  It has also been found in many places that are grassy or are covered with moss or small bushes (Hubricht, 1985).  It also has a preference for a type of soil known as duff soil which is a type of soil that consists of highly decomposed leaves, needles, fine twigs, and other organic material (Nekola, 2003).

 

The distribution of Guppya sterkii around the world is limited to one continent which is North America. (ITIS Report, 2011).  In North America, it is mainly seen in the United States most commonly in the Midwestern and Eastern states of the country (ITIS Report, 2011).  Within these states, there is a high prevalence of this species in the Door and Garden penisulas of Wisconsin along with areas of Michigan and Iowa (Nekola, 2004). 

 

 

 In Wisconsin, this species is one of the most northern populations yet reported (Nekola, 2004).  Within Wisconsin, this favors living in moist leaf litter on wooded hillsides and in ravines (Wisconsin DNR, 2011).  In Michigan, it mainly resides in areas that are forested and have limestone talus slopes (MI NFI, 2011).  This is similar to that of Iowa where it prefers to be by calcareous cliffs and talus slopes (MI NFI, 2011).