Carnivorous Snail

Carnivorous snails roam the forest floor Photographer - Rhys Jones Source - Museum Victoria

This attractive land snail, Victaphanta atramentaria, occurs in deep litter in the temperate rain forests of central Victoria and the Dandenong ranges.

Unlike the familiar introduced garden snail,V. atramentaria feeds on worms, other molluscs and insect larvae.

Occasionally, damaged and empty shells may be seen on the forest floor. No doubt they are themselves a food source for several bird species.