description Valve Snail (Valvata piscinalis) Overview
Valvata piscinalis, commonly called the valve snail or European valve snail, is a small freshwater gastropod in the family Valvatidae. Its horn-colored, top-shaped shell usually has five to six rounded whorls, a circular aperture, and a circular operculum with spiral markings that closes the opening. The species is native to Europe, the Caucasus, western Siberia, and Central Asia, where it lives in lakes, rivers, streams, and canals.
help Valve Snail (Valvata piscinalis) FAQ
What does Valvata piscinalis look like?
Valvata piscinalis, or the European valve snail, has a horn-colored, top-shaped shell. Its shell usually has five to six rounded whorls and a circular aperture.
What is unusual about the valve snail's operculum?
The operculum is circular and has spiral markings. It acts as a small door that can close the shell opening when the snail retracts.
Where does Valvata piscinalis live?
It is a freshwater gastropod found in aquatic habitats such as lakes, ponds, and slow-moving waters. The species belongs to the family Valvatidae.
How can Valvata piscinalis be distinguished from many other freshwater snails?
Its combination of a top-shaped shell, rounded whorls, circular opening, and spiral-marked operculum is useful for identification. The shell is generally horn-colored rather than brightly patterned.
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