University of Wisconsin–Madison

The snail next door

Episode 11

Transcript

Even the smallest introduced snails can mean big changes for the region’s lakes and streams. Our first snail story today comes from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Kelsey Taylor, aquatic invasive species coordinator, has spent many summer days waist-deep in water, plucking Chinese mystery snails off lakebeds. Kelsey is concerned that the introduced snail could affect wild rice, which is a very important food source, economic resource and culturally important being to the Ojibwe people.

Nick and Ellen Voss both spend a lot of time in the Driftless Region’s renowned trout streams – Nick as a flyfishing guide and Ellen as an aquatic invasive species program director. They know first-hand the importance of protecting the local rivers and streams from invasive species. Nick and Ellen only have to look a few watersheds east to imagine what a snail introduction could look like.

The New Zealand mudsnail can spread quickly and quietly because of its miniscule size. Bobbi Peckarsky, freshwater ecologist, has lived along the Black Earth Creek for over a decade. Bobbi and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s Maureen Ferry tell us about how New Zealand mudsnails were discovered in Black Earth Creek and what we can learn from this troublesome invasion.

New Zealand mudsnail shells around a dime.
The New Zealand mudsnail competes for food with other native bottom-dwelling animals. The snail has no predators outside of New Zealand and reproduces at an alarmingly high rate. In order to stop the spread of New Zealand mudsnails, waders should carefully check all gear and remove any sand, mud or plant fragments with a brush.
People standing in a river looking for snails.
Here, a crew at the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa break ice to look for the Chinese mystery snail. The crew is trying to get an idea of where the snails live in the cold months of winter. Photo: Kelsey Taylor.

Thanks to our guests

Kathryn Perez, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Kelsey Taylor, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Ellen Voss, River Alliance of Wisconsin
Nick Voss, Driftless Angler
Bobbi Peckarsky, Black Earth Creek Watershed Association, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Maureen Ferry, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Read more

Key to Wisconsin Freshwater Snails
Kelsey Taylor’s Snail Salsa Recipe
Chinese Mystery Snail
New Zealand Mud Snail