Australia’s Trumpet Snail can weigh up to 18kg with its stunning golden foot dragging a massive shell measuring up to 91cm long.
In the waters off the western and northern coasts of Australia, locals may unexpectedly encounter the largest snail species in the world, the Australian trumpet snail (Syrinx aruanus). These formidable predators forage on the ocean floor, reaching sizes comparable to a Border Collie dog.
The Australian trumpet snail can weigh up to 18kg. (Photo: jmartincrossley/iNaturalist).
Research indicates that these mollusks begin life as a small, flat slug covered in a hard shell with sharp spines. Over time, this group of animals evolves into impressive creatures of various sizes, ranging from the tiny Angustopila dominikae, which can fit through the eye of a needle, to the colossal Australian trumpet snail.
Not only is the Australian trumpet snail the largest snail species in the world, but it is also the largest extant gastropod on Earth. With its vibrant yellow foot, it drags along a massive shell that can reach lengths of up to 91cm. Weighing as much as 18kg, lifting one of these snails is akin to lifting a car tire.
Field observations and analysis of the waste produced by the Australian trumpet snail indicate that they prefer to feed on large polychaete worms such as Polyodontes, Loimia, and Diopatra. In a study published on ResearchGate in 2003, expert John D. Taylor from the Natural History Museum in London and his colleagues reported that in July-August 2000, several specimens were discovered on the muddy sandy shores of Withnell Bay, Western Australia.
By gently pulling the Australian trumpet snails from the mud, the research team found that some individuals were inserting their siphons into the large polychaete worm tubes (where the worms reside and are protected). Some snails were positioned above the hollow large worm tubes, while others rested in depressions on the muddy sand.
The longest worm tube the research team was able to retrieve measured 57cm. “Having a long siphon that can reach out is essential for capturing these large worms, as they can retreat deep into the tubes. Some observed Australian trumpet snails extended their narrow siphons at least 250mm into the worm tubes”, they noted.
In addition to their impressive size, the Australian trumpet snail possesses a unique shape reminiscent of a trumpet. Their shells feature a distinctive helical structure. These hollow shells can be utilized by Indigenous Australians as musical instruments and water containers.
