Florida Tree Snail. Everglades N.P.
by Chris Kusik
Title
Florida Tree Snail. Everglades N.P.
Artist
Chris Kusik
Medium
Photograph - 35mm
Description
Florida Tree Snails are found in hardwood hammocks in South Florida and the Florida Keys. Gorgeous and multicolored, tree snails, are known as "living jewels." They are two to three inches long, and are found only in extreme southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Fifty-two native color varieties exist, ranging from white to almost black, wrapped in whorls of emerald green, chestnut, orange, yellow or pink.During the dry season, they go into a kind of hibernation called estivation, fastening themselves to a branch and sealing their shells with mucus to prevent drying out. Rainwater softens this seal and out they come. If they are ripped from a branch during dry season, they will dry out and die.The tree snail is listed as a species of special concern in Florida. They are threatened by illegal collection of their shells, pesticide spraying and destruction of habitat. This photo was taken in the Florida Everglades.
Uploaded
July 25th, 2012
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