London scientists launch city-wide hunt for critically endangered “german hairy snail”

An ambitious conservation effort is underway in London as scientists and volunteer citizen researchers join forces to locate one of Britain’s rarest creatures: the German hairy snail. This fingernail-sized mollusk, scientifically known as *Pseudotrichia rubiginosa*, represents one of the country’s most critically endangered species, making this the first comprehensive city-wide search of its kind.

The diminutive snail, distinguished by its fuzzy appearance and tiny stature, has been spotted in scattered locations primarily along the tidal zones of the River Thames. Despite its name suggesting foreign origins, this elusive species has become an important part of London’s fragile urban ecosystem. The collaborative search brings together conchologists—scientists who specialize in studying mollusks—with trained volunteers who will help survey potential habitats throughout the capital.

The conservation initiative highlights the often-overlooked biodiversity that exists within major urban centers like London. These tiny snails typically shelter under pieces of driftwood and debris along riverbanks, making them particularly vulnerable to habitat disruption and environmental changes. Their fragmented populations face ongoing threats from urban development, pollution, and climate-related shifts in their Thames-side ecosystem.

This groundbreaking survey represents more than just a search for a single species—it demonstrates how citizen science can play a crucial role in urban conservation efforts. By engaging the public in biodiversity research, the project aims not only to map the current distribution of these rare snails but also to raise awareness about the surprising wildlife that calls London home, even in its most industrialized areas.