Comments on: The Carniverous Giant Powelliphanta Snail

By: Barbara Radcliffe

Barbara Radcliffe — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 03:05:14 +0000

I recall having met a few of these snails while walking the Heaphy Track across the Northern end of the South Island several years ago. There were places on the track that crossed obvious seams of coal. I do hope that these are not targeted for mining since it is a wonderful national park.

By: Heather Hastie

Heather Hastie — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 02:18:22 +0000

In reply to Jenny Haniver. What fantastic links! Medieval history is my first love, but I didn't know about this. It was a joy to read those posts. Thanks. :-)

By: Jenny Haniver

Jenny Haniver — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 23:56:12 +0000

These are very cool snails, if you’re not an earthworm or a slug; and the notion of “captive snails” tickles my funny bone, though there’s nothing funny about the need to protect them. Thinking about these snails invariably leads me to think about snails in medieval art and their symbolism. Here’s an interesting article on the matter of knights fighting snails http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-were-medieval-knights-always-fighting-snails-1728888/, though I’ve read elsewhere that the snail was a symbol for sloth. Here’s more on the knights fighting snails https://redditblog.com/2015/11/25/the-marginalized-art-of-snail-fighting-in-medieval-europe. (great pun in this link).

By: Heather Hastie

Heather Hastie — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 17:49:03 +0000

In reply to Ann German. Thank you so much Ann! Again. Your ongoing support has been beyond generous, and I deeply appreciate it. :-)

By: Ann German

Ann German — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 15:53:32 +0000

Lovely . . . so nice to see a sweet, mannerly, obviously intelligent member of the animal kingdom for a change (after watching the Keebler Elf show yesterday). A few shekels sent your way! Thanks.

By: Heather Hastie

Heather Hastie — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 08:46:18 +0000

In reply to nicky. The snails were rescued several years ago and have been in captivity so long it's become a bit of a scandal. Because they're so rare, they need to be released somewhere safe, but all the places that are suitable habitats still have lots of rats and possums, and they eat the snails.

By: nicky

nicky — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 06:02:05 +0000

Are they still developing coal mines in NZ? I thought coal was on its way out?