Snails and slugs have a reputation as slimy, repulsive creatures that
are nothing more than garden pests, but they are important components of
the ecosystems they live in. In fact, most of the pest slugs and snails
are introduced species that have come here with the plants we import for
our gardens. Worldwide there are more species of snails and slugs than
all the mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians combined, yet they are
often overlooked because of their relatively small size. Land snails and
slugs are well adapted to live in almost any kind of environment, from
high arctic tundra to tropical forests. In British Columbia, they can be
found just about everywhere. Land Snails of British Columbia describes
all 92 species of terrestrial molluscs in our province. It includes
photographs and detailed drawings of each, diagnostic keys and a
selection of colour photographs to aid in identification. With each
species description, the author discusses its natural history and
distribution in the province. He also talks about reproduction, life
history, diet, locomotion and shell structure (even slugs have shells).
Nature buffs and anyone interested in looking past the bad reputation of
these much-maligned creatures will find this handbook an enlightening
guide. For gardeners, this book will tell you which snails to cast out
of your garden and which ones to keep, because some snails and slugs are
beneficial to gardens and some even prey on their pestilent relatives.
