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Euglandina rosea (Férussac, 1821) Stalking Otala punctata (Müller, 1774) |
| Over the years captive Euglandina rosea have repeatedly made short work of the much smaller live exotic Bradybaena similaris (Férussac, 1821) [Asian Trampsnail] introduced into their terrarium as sustenance. As an experiment to observe what might happen when a Euglandina was presented with a much larger offering, a 58.4 mm. Euglandina rosea from Duval County, Florida was introduced to a 35 mm. exotic Otala punctata (Müller, 1774) that was collected on Amelia Island, Nassau County, Florida. Both species are found in the same habitat on Amelia Island, thus it was assumed that Euglandina likely prey on the Otala at that location. |
| The initial introduction of the two snails was uneventful, but the Euglandina eventually showed interest in the Otala and moved in for a closer examination (below right, top row). When the Otala crawled away, the Euglandina, moving its body from side to side, followed the slime trail of the Otala. Considering the interest in the Otala shown by the Euglandina despite being well fed, without this reporters intervention it appears likely that the Otala was destined to become just another item on the menu. |
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