Land-dwelling mollusks rarely boast beautiful shells. Even the magnificent fire snail , a dream of collectors worldwide, fails to impress with its vibrant shell. However, there are exceptions. Polymyth snails from Cuba look as if they were painted by a cheerful avant-garde artist.
Polymites live in trees and can only be found in the east of Liberty Island. They are found exclusively in the forests of Oriente Province and have long been a local landmark. The popularity of these mollusks among tourists has allowed Cuban authorities to exploit their image. Painted snails grace the country’s postage stamps, postcards, and even coins.
Polymites have only four colors in their shells: yellow, white, red, and black. But because these colors alternate in various combinations and form stripes of varying widths, each snail appears unique. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that all these vibrant mollusks belong to the same species.
Scientists claim that each snail’s shell is as unique as a fingerprint. Interestingly, colors and patterns vary depending on the habitat. Snails in different parts of the forest can be completely different from one another. Locals are well versed in these nuances and can accurately identify the region of Oriente province where a particular mollusk originated based on the appearance of its polymite.
Difficulties in reproduction and poachers
Polymyte snails are small—the shell diameter of an adult mollusk is no more than 3 cm. Their diet includes fungi, lichens, mosses, and simple algae. In winter, they are inactive or even hibernate, but in the spring, when the rains begin, they awaken and actively feed.
After replenishing their food reserves, the snails mate. By autumn, the females lay approximately 20 eggs among the moss at the roots of trees. However, the babies only emerge in the spring, when the weather becomes sufficiently damp. The snail eggs often fall prey to insects, rodents, and birds, so only a few babies are born.
Polymytes snails are popular pets among exotic lovers worldwide. Even their fussy eating habits and demanding living conditions don’t deter those who appreciate these beautiful mollusks. Due to their popularity and high price, these painted snails are on the brink of extinction. In Cuba, they are protected by law, but this doesn’t always deter poachers.
It’s worth noting that snails, for some reason, are incredibly photogenic. Even the most common species with unassuming shells turn out beautifully in photographs .
