Pleurodonte isabella is a small terrestrial snail endemic to Barbados, making it a unique representative of the island’s biodiversity. Adults reach around 2.5 cm in shell diameter, with a compact, rounded shell adapted to life in humid environments. Unlike many introduced snails, this species is native and plays an important role in the local ecosystem.
In the wild, P. isabella inhabits wooded areas, gardens, and moist leaf litter, where it thrives in shaded, humid microhabitats. It is primarily herbivorous, feeding on soft plant matter, decaying vegetation, and occasionally algae or biofilm on surfaces. By breaking down organic material, it contributes to nutrient cycling and soil health, supporting the productivity of Barbados’ forest floor and garden ecosystems.
This snail is most active during rainy or humid conditions, retreating into its shell during dry spells to conserve moisture. Its reproductive cycle is relatively rapid: females lay clutches of around 12 eggs, buried in soil or leaf litter, which hatch in about 10 days. This quick turnaround allows populations to remain stable even in fluctuating conditions.
Barbados Blue Snail (Pleurodonte isabella)
Size: 0.5-2 cm juv
Status: Captive Bred
Range: Barbados
Temperature 20-24 C Humidity 60-75% Diet Soft vegetables and fruits such as cucumber,
melon, apple, fish flakes, cuttlebone, courgette
Enclosure 20x20x20 cm for a small group.
Substrate around 5-8cm deep

