Wild & Weird: One of World's Rarest Snails Lives in the Desert

The San Xavier talussnail is one of the rarest snails on the planet. Its entire population lives on a single hill in the Sonoran Desert and nowhere else. These hermaphroditic desert snails can live up to 10 years, estivate (remain in dormancy) for up to three years, and are generally active for only 3-4 days annually. Prompted by monsoon rains, they emerge from their homes in rock crevices to feed on lichen. These beautiful snails are represented in a massive lawsuit by the Center against the Trump administration's failure to protect 241 endangered species, many on the brink of extinction. -----   About us:   The Center for Biological Diversity is a 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. At the Center, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive.   We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.   Where to find us:   WEBSITE: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ TWITTER:   / centerforbiodiv   FACEBOOK:   / centerforbiodiv   INSTAGRAM:   / centerforbiodiv   TIKTOK:   / centerforbiodiv     For questions or media inquiries, email us at [email protected].