looduskalender.ee

Cover of book "Guide to Estonian terrestial snails"

 

Snails, and especially their shells, are very diverse with regard to shape, size and colour. When learning more about them, an exciting and manysplendoured view opens which surprises by its profusion of shapes and other details: ribs, spines, small hairs, lips and teeth.

 

The snail book published in the series “Looduse raamatukogu” is the first guide written in Estonian that provides an overview of all 71 snail species with shells known in Estonia at present. The book does not take up shell-less land snails, such as Arion slugs.

 

In the snail guide the important identification characteristics and habitat preferences are described. Identification is simplified by photos of snail shells. A great help for beginners are examination tables making it possible to determine at least the genus from a shell.

 

An updated classification of land snails is also included in the publication, and many snail species have been given new Estonian names. The Estonian land snail classification covers species with as well as without shells.

 

The guide was compiled by members of the Estonian Malacological Society: Piret Kiristaja, Annelie Ehlvest and Liina Remm.

 

The guidebook of Estonian land snails with shells came to subscribers to Eesti Loodus magazine with the March issue free of charge. Interested parties can buy the book favourably from the Tallinn and Tartu offices: the guide costs 5 Euros. The book will also be in our e-shop soon. The snail guide is also sold by Apollo and Rahva Raamat bookstores.

 

Happy discoveries in the fascinating world of snails!