Powelliphanta

Powelliphanta, common name the amber snails, is a genus of large, air-breathing, carnivorous land snails, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod molluscs in the family Rhytididae. As a group their survival status is endangered. They are endemic to New Zealand, with the greater species diversity found in the Northwest Nelson and Buller Regions.

Recently their plight has been highlighted by two controversial development projects; the Mokihinui Dam and the further development of the Denniston Plateau coal area. Whilst the dam plans were thankfully scrapped, the future development of the Denniston area still hangs in the balance despite previously undiscovered species being found there during a fauna and flora survey by conservationists.

This shell is only a toddler at 6cm across - they can grow up to 9cm - and is an example I found on the Fenian Track near Karamea a couple of years ago. Don't worry, the rare snail had long since gone when I found it, although I suspect it was probably victim to a rather fat weka which I spied in the ferns only yards from where it lay...