Spiralling Towards Extinction48

Look at the shell of a painted snail, and you may become entranced. From the centre, bands of colour whorl outwards in a cylindrical sweep that mimics the pattern of a hypnosis spiral. Add to that a dazzling array of colours—buttercup yellow pastel pink, burnt umber—and it’s not hard to see why these modestly-sized gastropods are often hailed as the most beautiful snails on the planet.

But therein lies their downfall. As humans, we have a fondness for beautiful things. And when we like something, we often want it. Painted snails, in the genus Polymita, are highly prized by collectors. The demand for their ornamental shells—which are sold to enthusiasts, jewellery makers and tourists alike—is one reason why all six species are listed as critically endangered. For more than a decade, it’s been illegal to take a painted snail from the wild, but despite the full protection of the law, the demand for Polymita shells continues to drive rampant poaching.

“We need to raise awareness, both at local and global level, about these unique and fragile creatures.” says Bruno D’Amicis, who photographed this story in Cuba – the only place in the world where painted snails are found.

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