Citizen Scientists Embark on Quest to Save Britain's Elusive 'German' Snail
A team of over 100 volunteers, led by Citizen Zoo and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), is scouring the streets of London for a tiny, furry mollusc that has been hiding in plain sight. The German hairy snail, measuring just under an inch in length, has become one of Britain's most endangered species, with fossil records dating back to Neolithic times.
This minuscule creature, characterized by its distinctive fine hairs, is found clinging to debris along the high-tide line of the Thames and its tributaries. Its slimy trail serves as a lifeline, allowing it to feed on plants and stick to slippery surfaces. However, with habitat fragmentation and pollution, this species has struggled to survive.
The search for the German hairy snail marks a significant turning point in conservation efforts. The surveys aim to not only locate the snails but also better understand their decline and how to mitigate its impact. "It's about securing their future for years to come," says Elliot Newton, director of rewilding at Citizen Zoo, who was overjoyed by his initial discovery. "They are beautiful creatures, covered in these little straight hairs, and very curious-looking."
The search has already yielded promising results, with the team finding snails near Kew, Richmond upon Thames, Isleworth Ait, and east at Cody Dock on the Lower Lee. The surveys will also inform strategies for habitat restoration, pollution management, and potential translocation of snails between sites.
As London's biodiversity action plan highlights, this species is not only a priority but also an iconic representative of Britain's rich natural heritage. "The German hairy snail is a spark to imagination," Newton remarks. "It reminds us of the remarkable wildlife that exists right on our doorstep." The search for this elusive creature serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the need to protect London's green spaces for future generations.
A team of over 100 volunteers, led by Citizen Zoo and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), is scouring the streets of London for a tiny, furry mollusc that has been hiding in plain sight. The German hairy snail, measuring just under an inch in length, has become one of Britain's most endangered species, with fossil records dating back to Neolithic times.
This minuscule creature, characterized by its distinctive fine hairs, is found clinging to debris along the high-tide line of the Thames and its tributaries. Its slimy trail serves as a lifeline, allowing it to feed on plants and stick to slippery surfaces. However, with habitat fragmentation and pollution, this species has struggled to survive.
The search for the German hairy snail marks a significant turning point in conservation efforts. The surveys aim to not only locate the snails but also better understand their decline and how to mitigate its impact. "It's about securing their future for years to come," says Elliot Newton, director of rewilding at Citizen Zoo, who was overjoyed by his initial discovery. "They are beautiful creatures, covered in these little straight hairs, and very curious-looking."
The search has already yielded promising results, with the team finding snails near Kew, Richmond upon Thames, Isleworth Ait, and east at Cody Dock on the Lower Lee. The surveys will also inform strategies for habitat restoration, pollution management, and potential translocation of snails between sites.
As London's biodiversity action plan highlights, this species is not only a priority but also an iconic representative of Britain's rich natural heritage. "The German hairy snail is a spark to imagination," Newton remarks. "It reminds us of the remarkable wildlife that exists right on our doorstep." The search for this elusive creature serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the need to protect London's green spaces for future generations.
! its actually kinda sad 2 hear theyre endangered tho...i mean, who would've thought we had such tiny critters hiding in london?? 
anywayz, i gotta say, its awesome that people are coming togethr 2 help conserve them. conservation is def important 4 our planet & all the furry/fuzzy/ slimy creatures on it 
! I'm low-key obsessed with the fact that we have to save them from habitat fragmentation and pollution 
. Like, who knew these tiny creatures existed and were already endangered? It's wild! 
And I love how this team of citizen scientists is leading the charge 
, finding snails near Kew, Richmond, Isleworth, and even Cody Dock on the Lower Lee 
! It's like they're on a real-life treasure hunt for these little guys 
. Let's hope they can find a way to protect them and their habitats so we can see more of these cuties in the wild 
Like, who wouldn't wanna help save a tiny snail that's been hiding in plain sight? 
It's crazy to think about how some species can thrive (or not) depending on our actions.
And, it's awesome that this project is part of London's biodiversity action plan - I mean, who doesn't wanna protect the green spaces? 
I cant believe we're having to search for snails in london 
It's not like it's going extinct because of climate change or pollution... but nope, let's pick on a tiny snail instead 
. 
. Can't we spend that money on something actually useful, like fixing our roads or improving public transport? 
I mean, what's next? Searching for lost socks in the Thames? 
.
I think it's amazing that a team of over 100 people are all coming together to help protect this tiny creature. The fact that they're not just searching for it, but also learning more about its habits and habitats, is just genius 
.
. And the best part is, this search is all about securing the future of these adorable creatures for years to come 
. We need more people like these citizen scientists who care so much about our planet and its amazing wildlife 
.
It just goes to show how passionate people can be about saving wildlife, even when it comes to something as small as a snail 
. And who knows, maybe their efforts will help secure the future of not just one species, but an entire ecosystem 
.
. We're not just talking about saving a snail here, we're talking about preserving the health of our planet for future generations 
and I'm rooting for those volunteers to find more of these little guys 
!
like, they're literally the smallest creatures in Britain! And can you believe they've been hiding in plain sight this whole time? 
and it'll be a major mood boost 
And Elliot Newton's right, these little guys are super important for our ecosystem. We need to protect them and their habitats, 'cause think about all the weird & wonderful creatures that still exist in plain sight. 
... that's some serious history right there! The whole thing is just so fascinating - from their slimy trails to their little straight hairs 
. It's a reminder that even the smallest creatures can hold huge significance for our planet's future 
. I mean, have you ever seen a team of scientists working together like that before? It's almost like they're following some sort of plan 
. Just thinking about it is making me nervous 
maybe we can all learn a thing or two about conservation from this? 
? Plus, it's amazing how something as tiny as these snails can have such a big impact on our ecosystem. Let's keep spreading love and care for all the little creatures we share this planet with 
!
I'm actually kinda excited to see what they find, and it's great that there's a plan to understand their decline and mitigate the impact. But at the same time, aren't we just pushing them around?