Earlier this summer we spent 4 days surveying for endangered snails at our newly named Three Creeks property in East Abbotsford as part of a mark recapture study we are doing.

Our total count for the survey was:

Pacific Sideband: 19
Oregon Forestsnail: 35

These snails are both at-risk species in BC. The blue-listed Pacific Sideband is the largest land snail in BC, and can sometimes be found climbing the trunks of trees! Pacific Sideband snails are typically dark with a light band, but can be “blonde”- meaning the shell is light-colored and the band is missing or hard to see. The red-listed Oregon Forestsnail is often associated with patches of stinging nettle.

                                 
                              A “blonde” Pacific Sideband at Three Creeks!                     An Oregon Forestsnail at Three Creeks!

We have found that our Three Creeks property is also home to other fascinating snail species, so we have put together a simple key to help you identify species in your own backyard!

(Fun fact: Lancetooth snails are omnivorous– they eat earthworms, slugs and snails… including their own species!)

Click here to see the snail key!

The key contains the 5 species we found at Three Creeks but BC has over 95 species of land snails! For more information and a comprehensive list please visit E-fauna BC’s list of terrestrial snails or refer to the Land Snails of British Columbia handbook.