Pond Mud Snails Omphiscola glabra have been introduced to some of Trelusback’s ponds and ditches to increase their populations in West Cornwall. These snails typically inhabit low nutrient, shallow ponds and ditches which may dry out seasonally. Many of the ponds and ditches in Cornwall have been filled in therefore causing the snails to become endangered.
This species of snail has been added to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Recovery-Priority Species List.
The Pond Mud Snail reintroduction at the Trelusback wildlife site was carried out by Laura Larkin of the large national charity Buglife.
A considerable amount of work by student volunteers from Exeter University has taken place to improve the many existing ponds and more recently a contractor was arranged by Kernow Conservation to create additional ponds and ditches. These water features will not only be suitable for the snails but will also provide habitats for water voles, dragonflies, amphibians and grass snakes.
