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Painted Snake Coiled Forest Snail

The painted snake coiled forest snail (Anguispira picta), or painted disc as it is sometimes called, is a small, cream color snail that inhabits rocky limestone crevices in heavily forested areas. The forest snail is known only from Franklin County, Tennessee, in the vicinity of Buck Creek. It was discovered in this area in 1906 and has never been found elsewhere, although it has been extensively searched for by several competent biologists.

Very little is known about the biology of the species. It is believed that the species is restricted to heavily forested areas due to the moisture content of the limestone outcrops and the presence of lichens on which the species probably feeds.

Painted Snake Coiled Forest Snail - Close up

Due to the species’ limited range, the threat of logging activities and fire in the area, and potential overcollection, the painted snake coiled forest snail was listed as federally threatened on July 3, 1978.

A recovery plan was written for this species in 1982 and outlines the steps that need to be taken to remove (delist) the snail from the endangered species list. The plan indicates that the species will be delisted when:

the snail and its habitat are protected from human-related threats and/or modifications,
no evident natural threats exist that would likely endanger the species’ existence,
a population monitoring program is established and conducted for 4 to 5 years to establish "normal" distribution and abundance for the species and that no downward trend is evident,
a plan is developed for population monitoring after the species is delisted, and
collection of the species for scientific or other purposes is controlled or is proven not to threaten the species’ continued existence.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, has been working and will continue to work to protect and manage this species

If you are interested in learning more about this species, please contact Tim Merritt at 931-528-6481, ext. 211, or timothy_merritt@fws.gov.