Marsh Pond Snail
Marsh pond snails are native Colorado mollusks.
About This Species
It is possible that S. palustris in Europe is the same species as the marsh pond snail, but it is still uncertain.
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Physical Characteristics
The shell of the marsh pond snail is medium to large, up to 32 mm or more in length, and it can be fragile or sturdy. The shell spire is an elongated cone shape, with spiral bands sometimes present. The number of whorls varies, but there are usually 7. The aperture is less than half the length of shell and shaped like a half-moon. The lip is columellar and strongly twisted. The shell coloration is yellowish brown to dark brown.
Range
The range of the marsh pond snail extends from western Newfoundland to Alaska, from New England west to Oregon and California, and south to New Mexico. There are also possibly isolated occurrences in central Mexico and northern Labrador. It also occurs throughout the Canadian Interior Basin. The marsh pond snail inhabits both quiet and fast water habitats.
Habitat
The marsh pond snail is found in all perennial freshwater habitats, including lakes and rivers as well as the occasional slow-moving river and pool. This species demonstrates a tolerance to pollution. In Colorado the marsh pond snail is commonly found in the Platte River drainage and others on the eastern plains as well as in drainages in the mountains and western plateau.