Bishop Museum Provides Refuge for Last Known Survivor of Rare Hawaiian Snail Genus
Hawaiian land snails are among the most threatened animal groups globally.
Researchers believe that 11 species of Endodonta once inhabited the wild across the Hawaiian Islands, part of a family of approximately 200 species. Today, it is likely the last remaining species in the Endodonta genus.
The Bishop Museum, the State of Hawaiʻi Museum of Natural and Cultural History, houses the largest collection of Hawaiian land snails, preserving specimens, DNA, and tissues from thousands of species, many of which are now extinct.
The public can meet the last known survivor at the 2025 Kāhuli Festival on Oʻahu.
Author's summary: Bishop Museum gives refuge to last Hawaiian snail.