Powelliphanta

 

Last week Room 3 visited the Nelson Provincial Museum to see the Powelliphanta exhibition. We learned about this giant native snail - ngata - that is in grave danger of extinction due to its small numbers and limited areas to live. Mostly they are found in and around the top of the south island - Te Tau Ihu. We found out allsorts of interesting facts including what predators they are in danger of, what they like to eat and how extraordinary they are when devouring a worm. Yes - they are unlike most other snails in that they are carnivires not herbivores. This sign and display was what greeted us upon our arrival at the museum.

In this photo Wren and Macey are delving below the forest floor in search of dead powelliphanta snails and preparing a graph of how they died - from natural causes or from a predator such as a rat,a stoat or a weka.