Land snails usually live on the ground or under damp driftwood and rocks, but some species, such as the Sapporo mai-mai tree snail (Euhadra brandtii sapporo), live in treetops where conditions seem less favorable. Japanese scientists from the universities of Tsukuba and Hokkaido studied the behavior of these snails in the northern part of Hokkaido.
Advertising
In winter, they spend time in fallen leaves on the ground, and in summer they rise to a height of up to 20 meters into the crowns of oaks and maples. For observations, the researchers used towers and humidity and temperature sensors. To track their movements, a small hole was carefully pierced in the snails’ shells and a string was tied to it.
It turned out that this lifestyle is associated with an attempt to avoid summer land predators – ground beetles, raccoon dogs and rodents. At the same time, birds and squirrels found in the crowns do not have a significant impact on survival.
