A Field Guide to the Snails of Lord Howe Island

13 Looking for land snails Snails can be found in several different microhabitats on Lord Howe Island. The majority of species are litter dwellers, and can be found on the underside of logs, dead palm fronds and leaves (Figures 7-8). Some species are arboreal, living on the underside of green leaves, or inside palm sheaths (Figure 9). On the southern mountains, snails also live on the basalt rock surfaces, some in seeps running down the rock face, and others in crevices of dry rocks (Figure 10). Snails are nocturnal and are most active at night or during rain. Some species can be observed by walking at night with a torch. However, this limits the areas that can be searched, and with dedication it is possible to find them during the day. Most species are leaf litter dwellers and can be found by finding a moist spot with a good depth of leaf litter, and turning over leaves, logs and dead palm fronds. Patience is a neccessity. Good luck! Remember that Lord Howe Island is a protected area and species cannot be collected without a permit. Figure 4. Scalybark mixed closed forest. Image P. Sheringham.