Nearly Extinct, Tiny Snail is Reproduced in the Lab to Save the Species

It turns out that a certain snail may not be going extinct quite yet. Scientists have found that the endangered Chittenango ovate amber snail can be successfully bred in the lab.

The rare species of snail survives exclusively alongside Chittenango Falls, which is about 22 miles southeast of Syracuse, New York. Because of its small habitat, researchers are afraid that a single catastrophic event could wipe out the entire population completely.

In order to address this threat, the researchers have worked to establish a captive breeding population in a lab. Since early June, more than 600 baby snails have been hatched in the lab.

"It has been important for us to understand what the Chittenango ovate amber snail needs for long-term survival," said Cody Gilbertson, one of the researchers, in a news release. "We have studied their habitat and simulated the conditions in the lab for an optimal rearing environment. This backup population can supplement their wild population and prevent extinction in case of an unplanned, destructive event such as a storm, rockslide or drought."

The work isn't just helping the snails, though. It's also teaching researchers a bit more about how this animal lives and what its needs are for successful management of its habitat. This, in turn, could help conservation management of this snail's habitat.

These efforts could save this species of snail, which is important for environmental conservation.

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