• First-ever video footage captures a Powelliphanta augusta snail laying an egg from its neck, a rare event for conservationists.
• Powelliphanta augusta snails are hermaphrodites that can exchange sperm and self-fertilize, with a unique genital pore location for reproduction.
• Conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs, are crucial for the survival of the species threatened by habitat loss due to mining.

A significant and rare event was recently documented at a conservation facility in New Zealand: the first-ever filmed instance of a Powelliphanta augusta snail laying an egg from its neck. This event highlights the unique reproductive characteristics of this threatened snail species and the critical role of ongoing conservation efforts to protect it from extinction. The video was captured during a routine weight check, revealing the snail's unusual method of egg-laying through a genital pore located on its neck.

• What: A Powelliphanta augusta snail was filmed laying an egg from its neck for the first time, a rare event that highlights the species' unique reproductive method.
• Who: Key individuals include Lisa Flanagan and Kath Walker from the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), along with Ingrid Gruner. The primary entity is the Powelliphanta augusta snail.
• When: The footage was captured on September 18, 2024. The conservation program began in 2006. The snails take eight years to reach sexual maturity and lay about five eggs a year.
• Where: The event occurred at the Hokitika Snail Housing facility on the South Island's West Coast in New Zealand. The snails' original habitat was a remote mountain engulfed by mining.

The filming of the Powelliphanta augusta snail laying an egg from its neck is a significant event because it provides valuable insights into the reproductive behavior of this threatened species. The conservation efforts, initiated in response to mining threats to their habitat, demonstrate a commitment to preserving biodiversity. The fact that the snails are slow-growing and have a low reproductive rate makes their conservation even more challenging. The accidental loss of 800 snails in 2011 underscores the fragility of the captive breeding program and the need for stringent monitoring and maintenance of the facilities.

It's remarkable that in all the time we've spent caring for the snails, this is the first time we've seen one lay an egg.

Powelliphanta have solved this by having an opening (a genital pore) on the right side of their body just below their head so that the snail only needs to peek out of its shell to do the business.

The footage of the Powelliphanta augusta snail laying an egg from its neck marks a rare and important observation, highlighting both the unique biology of the species and the ongoing conservation efforts to protect it. The challenges of slow reproduction and habitat loss necessitate continued dedication to captive breeding programs and habitat restoration. The success of these programs will be crucial in ensuring the long-term survival of this remarkable New Zealand snail.