Project Watershed Central New York

• They get oxygen directly from air trapped in their shell cavity and thus are less dependent on water quality
• Shell is made of calcium carbonate
• It’s important that the snail is alive (someone is at home) before counting it in a survey
• Shell is spiral, coil or dome shaped
• Has no operculum (plate-like door)
• Shells usually open on the left side, which can be seen if you hold the shell with its tip pointing up and the opening facing you