Nutrition

Polygyrids are believed to be mainly mycophagous, meaning they feed on fungi which can be found on logs that have molded, according to research done by Walter C. Blinn.  Blinn (1963) found that because snails in the Polygirid family feed on fungi this is often why they choose places like molded logs as a favorable place to live (Blinn, 1963). He also found out during his research that Mesodon thyroidus which are part of the Polygyrid family intake amounts of rotting wood when feeding, and then use the enzymes in their bodies to break down and use the polysaccharides found in the wood (Blinn, 1963). In animals polysaccharides are used for energy storage. Research that Blinn completed in Carle Woods of Illiniois suggests that members of the Polygyrid family also feed on wood nettle, which is a type of plant found in Illionois, and shown in a picture on the left. Blinn also discovered snails of this family feed on the decaying areas of living angiosperms (Blinn, 1963).                                                                                                                    

Research done by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) also found that snails of the Allogona genus are believed to feed on fungi as most snails in the Polygird family do.  The research also noted that when in captivity snails of the Allogona genus would feed on fresh vegetable matter (COSEWIC, 2002).