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The survival of a tiny, uniquely rare snail native to just one UK lake has become a crucial focus for conservation efforts. Known as the glutinous snail (Myxas glutinosa), this species now survives only in Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, situated within Snowdonia National Park. Once common across UK waters, these small molluscs have nearly vanished due to habitat degradation and water pollution. Conservationists have likened their value to that of precious Egyptian artifacts, underscoring the urgency to protect and preserve them.
Ian Hughes, a dedicated conservationist, has taken up the challenge of safeguarding this rare snail. Beginning with a back garden in Ceredigion where he bred the creatures, Hughes has helped establish ark populations in several British zoos. His passion stems from having once observed more snails in his garden than in the wild. The peculiar glutinous snail, distinguished by its gooey mantle enveloping a tiny, gold-speckled brown shell and large “floppy ear”-like antennae, feeds on algae and acts as an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems. Unfortunately, they have been wiped out in England, primarily because of polluted waters and loss of habitat.
Hughes has actively engaged in the field since 2014, collecting specimens from Llyn Tegid with permission from Natural Resources Wales. He even devised and placed specialized concrete shelters within the lake to offer refuge for the snails while also maintaining a captive population in a greenhouse at his home in Llanarth. After months of uncertainty about their survival in captivity, the sighting of eggs marked a major breakthrough. “Nobody had knowingly seen their eggs before we made that breakthrough,” Hughes explained, calling the achievement a “life-defining moment.”
The project has evolved into a family endeavor, involving Hughes’ wife Kerry and their three sons, who share his commitment. They brave cold conditions to support conservation fieldwork, recognizing the small snail’s important role in the ecosystem. Collaborating with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIA
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