# @rewild on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C7jVRP4MhFK
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18208934-rewild-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/a64155d055.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-05-29T12:17:03.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Re:wild (@rewild) — https://gondola.cc/rewild

## Caption

🐌 Have you heard of George the Hawaiian tree snail? 

He was the last known member of his species, making him the world's loneliest snail. Despite researchers' best efforts, George never found a mate. However, he became the face of Hawaiian snail conservation.

Hawaii once boasted 750 snail species, but is now down to about 200, including tree snails with vibrant candy-striped shells. These snails, known as "the voice of the forest," are celebrated in Hawaiian folklore for their "singing" as they move up trees.

Hawaiian tree snails are unsung ecological heroes, dubbed "gunk specialists" for their role in eating fungi on leaves, which helps maintain fungal diversity and protect trees from disease.

Sadly, invasive species like the Rosy Wolfsnail, introduced to control other pests, have driven Hawaiian tree snails to near-extinction since 1955. But there's hope! In 2020, scientists discovered a new snail species, Auriculella gagneorum, hinting at a brighter future for Hawaiian Ttree Ssnails. This discovery is a fitting tribute to George!

📖 Want to learn about more "underfrog" species? Visit out link in bio to get your copy of our book Wild Life, which features these beautiful snails among other wild and whimsical wildlife! 

📸: David Sischo, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

#NationalSnailDay #Snails #SnailDay #Conservation #HawaiianTreeSnails #Biodiversity #SaveTheSnails

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## Tags

biodiversity, snailday, conservation, hawaiiantreesnails, savethesnails, nationalsnailday, snails

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