Strange flat snails

[arachnocat]

I was doing a bit of bug hunting on my break at work and I came across some snails I've never seen before. They have flat shells and live in the leaf litter. I was wondering if anyone knew what they were. I live in Northern CA. The only snails I could find online that look similar are called Flat-spired Three-toothed Land Snails. They're supposed to be endangered and super rare so I'm thinking they may be something more common. They're a purply/blue color. Kind of pretty.

 

[Kevin_Davies]

They look like a species of garlic snail, Oxychilus sp, maybe Oxychilus alliarius?
they're quite common in the UK, im sure theres species of them in North America as well.

 

[arachnocat]

Thanks! Thats probably what it is. I had never seen one before, but I don't go digging through leaves that often either

 

[tyrel]

You seem to be posting alot of purple critters lately! :}

 

[bugmankeith]

I think they are called Cellar Snails, I had a few living in my garage, and after keepng them over the winter (and many eggs later) I let them go in April.

 

[arachnocat]

Thanks for the info! There seems to be all kinds of purple bugs & snails outside today. lol.

 

[bugmankeith]

Those snails are normal color, sometimes they are grayish-blue, but their not photoshopped I can tell you that.