Cryptomastix germana


Cryptomastix germana, or the pygmy Oregonian, is a terrestrial snail belonging to the family Polygyridae.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the top half of the Pacific Northwest, with its range cutting off at the top of California.

Appearance

This species is characterized by a hairy shell in a classical spiral shape. It also is very small, usually only a few millimeters.The hairs are generally long, hooked and spiraling. It generally has a "Leopard print" pattern on the shell

Similar species

The most similar species to this snail would be Vespericola columbianus, which also has a hairy shell, but is much bigger than the Pygmy Oregonian, and has shorter hairs.

Color forms

Some Cryptomastix germana individuals off the coast can be darker brown, reddish, to nearly black in coloration.
The normal inland coloration is light brown with a leopard print pattern.