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A giant snail that lives up to its name

The giant magnolia snail was thought to be extinct before living specimens were found in southern Vietnam in 2012. There are now around 300 of them

30 April 2025

A six-and-a-half-centimetre snail is one of the rarest animals at the park. The Giant Magnolia Snail had been thought to have been extinct before living specimens were found in southern Vietnam in 2012.Classified as critically endangered, there are thought to be as few as 300 of the left coiling snail in the world with eight at Longleat and just 56 in European zoos and Safari Parks. Keeper Samantha Peeke has been ensuring they settle in and the snails will soon be able to be seen in the Animal Adventure area of the Park.?They are kept in a sterile environment to protect them, and each has an ID tag. We are hoping they will start breeding which will be incredible for the species. Tom_Anders_GiantSnail — Tom Anders/Longleat

Measuring 6.5 centimetres, this giant magnolia snail (Bertia cambojiensis) at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, UK, certainly lives up to its name. Also known as the Vietnamese giant snail, this species was thought to be extinct until living specimens were discovered in southern Vietnam in 2012. There are estimated to be around 300 left in the world.

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