Chinese mystery snails are large, golf-ball-size snails with a “trapdoor” or operculum. These snails are typically light in color when young and then darken to greenish brown, brown, or reddish brown pigmentation as an adult.
Distribution:
NOTE: If you receive a "sign in" message, click cancel to continue. Confirmed observations of Chinese mystery snail submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. For more information, visit iMapInvasives
Habitat:
Chinese mystery snails inhabit lakes and slow moving rivers.
Threats & Impacts:
Chinese mystery snails can reach high densities and outcompete native species for food and habitat. They are intermediate hosts for parasitic worms and can transmit trematodes that kill waterfowl. Their foul-smelling shells often litter shorelines and clog screens of water intakes.
Management Techniques:
Once established, very little can be done apart from manual removal of these snails. The most effective method to control these aquatic invasive species is to prevent their introduction in the first place. Before and after visiting different waterbodies, always clean, drain, and dry all boats, bait buckets, and gear to remove any invasive plants or animals that may be present.
