Dragon Snail
Dracogyra subfusca
The Dragon Snail (Dracogyra subfusca) is a distinctive terrestrial gastropod characterized by its elongated, spiral shell with prominent ridges that create a dragon-scale appearance, typically measuring 15-20mm in length with a muted brown coloration. This specialized mollusk plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as a decomposer, breaking down leaf litter and organic matter while serving as prey for various invertebrate predators and small vertebrates.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Neomphalida
Family
Peltospiridae
Genus
Dracogyra
Dragon Snail belongs to the family Peltospiridae, order Neomphalida, within the Gastropoda class.
Species Profile
The Dragon Snail (Dracogyra subfusca) is a distinctive terrestrial gastropod characterized by its elongated, spiral shell with prominent ridges that create a dragon-scale appearance, typically measuring 15-20mm in length with a muted brown coloration. This specialized mollusk plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as a decomposer, breaking down leaf litter and organic matter while serving as prey for various invertebrate predators and small vertebrates.
The Dragon Snail (Dracogyra subfusca) is critically endangered due to its extremely limited range in the Western Ghats of India, where it faces severe habitat loss from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human development. The species' specialized habitat requirements and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and local extinctions.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Dragon Snails inhabit the moist understory of temperate deciduous forests, particularly favoring areas with dense leaf litter beneath oak and maple canopies where humidity levels remain consistently high. They are typically found in microhabitats around rotting logs, moss-covered rocks, and areas where seasonal streams create additional moisture gradients.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Dragon Snail (Dracogyra subfusca) is critically endangered due to its extremely limited range in the Western Ghats of India, where it faces severe habitat loss from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human development. The species' specialized habitat requirements and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and local extinctions.
Agricultural expansion
Deforestation
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change impacts on montane ecosystems
Human settlement expansion
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
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
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dragon Snail (Dracogyra subfusca). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dragon-snail