Blind Snail
Cecilioides acicula
Cecilioides acicula, common name the "blind snail" or "blind awlsnail", is a species of very small, air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Ferussaciidae.
73
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecilioides_acicula
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Stylommatophora
Family
Ferussaciidae
Genus
Cecilioides
Blind Snail belongs to the family Ferussaciidae, order Stylommatophora, within the Gastropoda class.
Species Profile
Cecilioides acicula, common name the "blind snail" or "blind awlsnail", is a species of very small, air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Ferussaciidae.
The Blind Snail faces significant threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation of its specialized underground environments. Urban development, agricultural intensification, and soil contamination pose particular risks to this subterranean species, which depends on stable soil conditions and organic matter availability in its limited range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits underground environments including soil layers, leaf litter, compost heaps, and decaying organic matter in gardens, woodlands, and disturbed areas. This subterranean species requires moist, well-structured soils with adequate organic content and is typically found in the upper soil horizons.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and soil disturbance
Habitat fragmentation from urban development
Climate change affecting soil moisture regimes
Loss of organic matter and leaf litter
Soil contamination from pollutants
Found in 73 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Blind Snail (Cecilioides acicula). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/blind-snail