Platymma tweediei

(Tomlin, 1938)

Vernacular names
English : Malayan fire snail
French : Escargot de feu de Malaisie

Classification
Class : Gastropoda
Order : Stylommatophora
Family : Chronidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Malaysia’s largest snail species, growing to a shell length of about 7 cm. Unmistakable. Shell relatively flat with small ridges, entirely shiny black. Most of body bright red with a black rear spot and black upper back and top of head.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South-East Asia and is endemic to the central and north-central mountain ranges of Peninsular Malaysia. Only found in tropical cloud forests above 1000 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species’ status hasn’t been assessed. It is scarce in the wild and badly threatened by habitat loss and overcollection for international trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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