What do they look like?

The shell of these snails is approximately 3/4 inch in diameter and has a height of about 1/2 inch. The shell is opaque and flattened with 5 to 5 1/2 convex whorls. The shell opening is roundish with a somewhat partial lip.

When alive, the shell of this shell is a glossy, greenish-white to pale yellow color. If only the shell remains, it is whitish to palest brown.

Where in the world do they live?

The flat disc snail is found in the eastern United States. It is one of the more common land snails found in Michigan.

What kind of habitat do they need?

These snails prefer humid, hardwood forests, leaf litter, or inhabiting the ground under decaying logs. They are found in floodplains of river valleys.

How long do they live?

This snail probably has a lifespan similar to other snails, of about one year.

How do they behave?

This snail is usually found alone rather than in groups. Occasionally, it will engage in cannibalism by eating others of the same species.

What do they eat?

This snail is carnivorous, feeding on other snails and snail eggs. They have been known to ingest dead snail shells as well, perhaps as a source of minerals.

Flat disc snails will find food sources by following prey slime trails. When they have captured the prey, a snail will pull the prey to a hidden area to feed. As they grow in size, they will feed on increasingly larger prey, from eggs to young snails to adults.

What eats them and how do they avoid being eaten?

What roles do they have in the ecosystem?

Flat disc snails are a predators on other snails as well as prey for larger animals. It may also be an intermediate host for cestodes.

How do they interact with us?

Since this snail is a carnivore, it may contribute to reducing pest snails.