Our critter of the week is Paryphanta busby, the Kauri Snail, Pupu Rangi.
These snails belong to the oldest family of land snails on earth, dating back 200 million years. Despite the name, they don't actually live near kauri trees as the soil around kauri is too dry!
The kauri snail is carnivorous and cannibalistic. Its eats earthworms, insects, insect larvae, and snails.
Only about 10% of the world's snails are carnivores.
Once widespread through Northland, the kauri snail now has a limited distribution in parts of northern Northland and on a few offshore islands.
DoC's endangered species ambassador, Nicola Toki tells us all about this giant snail.
