Chinese Mystery Snail

Chinese mystery snails (Cipangopaludina chinensis) can form dense populations and outcompete native species for food and habitat in lakes and streams. They are intermediate hosts for parasitic worms and can transmit trematodes that kill waterfowl.

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Resources

Chinese Mystery Snail Effects - paper on distribution and community-level effects of the Chinese mystery snail in northern Wisconsin lakes.

Chinese Mystery Snail - from the Lake George Association covers identification and ecological threat of Chinese mystery along with descriptions of other snails found in the lake. 

Mystery Snails (Chinese, Japanese and Banded) - from Wisconsin Sea Grant covers identification and general characteristics of the species along with what you can do to help.

Are Chinese Mystery Snails Edible? from eXtension covers whether it is safe to eat this species.

Last updated September 15, 2023