The Powelliphanta augusta snail was being weighed by Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger Lisa Flanagan in when the little egg emerged from its neck.

DOC had been managing a captive population of the snails in chilled containers since 2006, when Solid Energy started mining their habitat on the Mt Augustus ridgeline on the western side of the Stockton Plateau near Westport.

Flanagan said it was a special moment after 12 years looking after the snails.

"It's remarkable that in all the time we've spent caring for the snails, this is the first time we've seen one lay an egg.

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[–] SenatorCollins@aussie.zone 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Well, there are a lot of these snails going around the world all the time, and very seldom does anything like this happen. I just don’t want people thinking that gastropods aren’t safe.

[–] flambonkscious@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

What, the carnivorous ones?

[–] SenatorCollins@aussie.zone 4 points 4 months ago

Well, I was thinking more about the other ones.