General: We don't often think of snails in the Mojave Desert, but springsnails can be found in springs throughout the desert. Because their habitat (i.e., spring pools in the desert) always is in danger of drying out, springsnails are considered species of concern. Springsnails probably were distributed widely throughout the region during the last ice age, but now they are mostly restricted to the remaining springs and creeks.

Spring Snails eat algae and detritus.

Taxonomy: Family Hydrobiidae. Former genus: Physa.

The Spring Mountains Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis deaconi) can be found in Red and Willow Springs in Red Rock Canyon NCA, in Kiup Spring on Mt. Charleston, and in Pahrump Spring on the west side of Mt. Charleston. Another species, the Southeast Nevada Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis turbatrix), occurs in Red Rock Canyon NCA and can be found in Lost Creek, Willow Creek, and La Madre Spring. Other species of Springsnail occur in Corn Creek Spring and Blue Point Spring.

Please be careful around springs so as not to damage the habitat or injure the snails. Don't wash in springs because soap will hurt them. Goldfish and other non-native species that people put in springs are a problem for Springsnails too.