What Ontario is doing

To prevent the further spread of this species in the province, Ontario has regulated New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) as a prohibited invasive species under the Invasive Species Act, 2015.

Learn about the Invasive Species Act and regulations.

Background

New Zealand mud snail is an invasive aquatic snail that inhabits freshwater habitats, including:

  • rivers
  • creeks
  • streams
  • ponds
  • lakes
  • constructed waters like canals and ditches

Reported to be found at depths of 4 to 25 m in Lake Ontario, these snails reside along the shorelines and are capable of surviving year-round in Ontario’s Great Lakes over a range of temperatures and salinities.

New Zealand mud snail can spread naturally on wildlife such as birds. It can also be carried in ship ballast water or by hitchhiking on recreational watercraft and other contaminated equipment.

Females become sexually mature within three to six months. They can reproduce asexually, resulting in offspring genetically identical to the mother. This means only one female is needed to establish a population.

Range

New Zealand mud snail is native to New Zealand and its adjacent islands. However, it is widely established across Europe, Australia, Asia and North America.

Arriving in Lake Ontario in 1991, it has since spread to other areas including Lake Erie, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and the St. Lawrence River.

View an up-to-date distribution map of New Zealand mud snail in North America.

Impacts of New Zealand mud snail

New Zealand mud snails form very dense colonies, with up to 300,000 per square meter reported. New Zealand mud snail can outcompete native snails and other aquatic invertebrates for food and habitat.

Large populations can lead to the overconsumption of plants and detritus, altering the available nutrients for aquatic food webs. Damage to the aquatic ecosystem and food chain can decrease commercial fish populations, impacting the fishing industry.

How to identify New Zealand mud snail

The New Zealand mud snail is very small, 8 mm or less. It has an elongated shell which is slender and pointed with five to seven whorls (spirals). They are grey to dark brown in colour.

What you need to know

  • Learn how to identify New Zealand mud snail and how to prevent the introduction or spread of this animal into new waterbodies.
  • It is illegal to deposit, release, possess, transport, propagate, buy, sell or trade this species in Ontario.
  • Always clean, drain, and dry your watercraft (such as a boat or canoe) before transporting it to another waterbody.
  • As of January 1, 2022, boaters in Ontario must take reasonable precautions to remove all plants, animals and algae as well as remove drain plugs to allow water to drain from their vessel before transporting it overland. Boaters must also ensure their boat is free of all plants, animals and algae before arriving at a boat launch or launching their boat into any waterbody.
  • Never buy, sell, lease or trade New Zealand mud snail or keep in aquariums or outdoor gardens.

Reporting illegal activity

If you have any information about the illegal importation, distribution, or sale of New Zealand mud snail, report it immediately to either:

If you’ve seen New Zealand mud snail or another invasive species in the wild, please:

Gallery

Photo of New Zealand mud snails next to a ruler

Photo: Mohammed El Damir, Bugwood.org

Photo of New Zealand mud snails next to an American penny

Photo: Mike Gangloff, Bugwood.org