Conservationists and citizen scientists have united on a mission to protect London’s “delightfully small” ice-age hairy snail.

Known as the German hairy snail due to the fine hairs adorning its shell and its believed origins from the European mainland, this rare mollusk is among the most endangered species in the UK.

This minuscule creature (Pseudotrichia rubiginosa) resides exclusively in limited, fragmented areas of its traditional, moist riverside environment along the River Thames.

Under the guidance of Citizen Zoo and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a team has embarked on a series of surveys to gain a clearer understanding of the species’ distribution throughout the city, aiming to inform conservation efforts.

Over the past few months, the group has been actively searching for and identifying the species at both established and potential river sites in boroughs such as Newham, Richmond upon Thames, and Barnet.

Their goal is to create a comprehensive overview of the snail’s current range in the UK and to explore how habitat restoration, pollution control, and careful relocation of snails between various locations can aid in their population recovery.

Joe Pecorelli, who manages the freshwater conservation program at ZSL, remarked, “This delightful little snail has made our riverbanks and wetlands its habitat for thousands of years; unfortunately, it is now extremely rare in the UK, possibly confined to just a handful of locations along the Thames.”

Although it was first documented in the UK in 1982, fossil evidence suggests that the German hairy snail has inhabited the region since at least the Stone Age—and could trace back to the last Ice Age when Britain was still connected to continental Europe.

During that era, the Thames was linked to the Rhine, Germany’s longest river, which currently flows into the North Sea.

Mr. Pecorelli added, “These surveys will help us assess the health of the snail population and determine how we can support it—not only to ensure their survival but also to protect green spaces for both people and wildlife in London for future generations.”

The team aims to further clarify the current range of the snail in the UK and to determine how restoring habitats, managing pollution, and carefully relocating snails might facilitate their recovery.

The delicate hairs covering the slender, rounded shell are believed to enable the snail to release excess moisture, allowing its slime to become sticky enough to adhere to slippery riverside debris and the vegetation it consumes.

Elliot Newton, director of rewilding at Citizen Zoo, stated, “The German hairy snail inspires curiosity and opens our minds to the fascinating and diverse wildlife that can flourish in Greater London.

“It serves as a reminder of the extraordinary natural world right at our doorstep.

“The surveys demonstrate that, by collaborating with various partners across the capital and empowering local communities, we can deepen our awareness of London’s less visible biodiversity and take meaningful actions to protect it.”

This initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the London Wildlife Trust, the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC, and the Port of London Authority, with financial backing from Thames21 and the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.