American Bladder Snail - Physella acuta
Alternative names
Physa acuta
Description
Up to 18mm long with a pointed turret and large flared mouth which joins the main shell at close to a right angle. As with other Physa species it is sinistral
Similar Species
Physa fontinalis has a much less pointed shell and the mouth joins the main shell at an acute angle.
Identification difficulty

ID guidance
- sinistral (left hand coil)
- large flared mouth - joining at nearly a right angle
Habitat
Rivers and lakes, can tolerate some pollution.
When to see it
All year.
Life History
This is an introduced species. It feeds on dead plant and animal matter, rather than algae which most snails feed on.
UK Status
Widespread and relatively common particularly in the south.
VC55 Status
Uncommon and/or under-recorded.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015