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 5 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah, that’s not very typical. I’d like to make that point.

[–] flambonkscious@sh.itjust.works 7 points 4 weeks ago (2 children)

What, that we saved a species before mining the snot out of is habitat?

Great quote, I'm just being sarcastic

[–] liv@lemmy.nz 4 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

The mining company conveniently went bankrupt before the habitat "remediation".

They are like the Chagos Islanders of snails.

[–] flambonkscious@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 weeks ago

What a disgrace!

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

What, the carnivorous ones?

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

Well, I was thinking more about the other ones.