Admire the Cuban painted snail - The most beautiful snail in the world

Out of about 1,400 species of terrestrial snails in Cuba, 6 species of the genus Polymita, affectionately known as the painted snail, are considered the most beautiful snails in the world.

Cuban snails have colorful shells and no two are 100% alike. They are truly outstanding works of art by their creator. It is because their brilliant shells are sought after by collectors that all six species of snails in the genus Polymita are critically endangered.

 They are truly outstanding works of art by their creator.

The shells of Cuban snails come in a variety of colors, from pearl white to pale yellow and brick red and each species has its own swirling design and markings. Interestingly, color differences occur not only among different species of painted snails, but also among individuals of a single species.

Some believe that the difference in color is an evolutionary trait designed to confuse predators, making it difficult for them to access specimens of a certain species.

The shells of Cuban snails come in many different colors.

Cuban painted snails live in a very thin belt of vegetation along the east coast of Cuba, where they feed on mineral-filled lichens and mosses that give their shells their beautiful appearance. Because of their relatively small habitat, this mollusk is particularly vulnerable to clearing coffee growers, native and introduced carnivores, and climate change. .

However, the most worrying cause for Polymita snails being classified as 'critically endangered' is poaching. There was a time when locals collected painted snail shells as souvenirs, putting this mollusk at risk of extinction. Currently, the collection of painted snails for sale in Cuba or for sale abroad is strictly prohibited.

This snail is classified as 'critically endangered' due to poaching.

To protect the beautiful snails, the Cuban government has planned to increase fines for violations of the ban on snail hunting and create separate conservation areas according to international standards.