Post by mickysnail on Jan 19, 2008 11:27:11 GMT
Helix (Pelasga) engaddensis is represented in Israel by two subspecies:
Helix (Pelasga) engaddensis engaddensis from deep in the Negev up to the foothills of Mount Hermon, ie.e. from 25-50 mm of annual rainfall up to 1200 mm of annual rainfall, Helix (Pelasga) engaddensis prasinata, which is confined in its distribution to basaltic outcrops in the area of the Sea of Galilee. The nominal subspecies occurs also in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Sinai (Egypt).
Both are grounddwellers which are only active during the rainy season usually from October until March. After the first heavy rains large congregations are being formed of mating snails, which event is soon followed by the deposition of large batches of eggs in self made holes in the ground. Young snails appear after 3-4 weeks.
During the dry period they are estivating buried in the ground.
Their main food consists of decaying plants although they might feed also on green plants.
Natural ennemies: shrews, hedgehogs, small rodents, wild boars, thrushes and other birds, ground beetles (Carabus) and other snail-eating beetles, toads, and many others.
Information courtesy of Henk K. Mienis
