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Baudin Island Camaenid Land Snail (Baudinella baudinensis)

Baudinella baudinensis is an air-breathing terrestrial land snail in the family Camaenidae. It is known from Western Australian records in the Kimberley region and has a WA Priority 3 status.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 3.

Seasonal planning

Activity, breeding and movement months have not been documented for this species. The row below is a general planning prompt, not a species-specific seasonal pattern.

Species-specific seasonality: Not documented

Planning implication: Set survey timing using project requirements and site conditions, and report the limitations of any non-detection

Species-specific seasonal information is not available.

  • Survey and works planning: General planning window only. No activity or breeding months are known for this species; choose timing to meet survey and approval requirements.

Identification: Appearance and size

Baudinella baudinensis is a terrestrial camaenid land snail, but a usable field description has not been documented.

A species-specific shell description, colour, measurements and diagnostic features have not been documented.

Do not identify a shell found on site as this species from appearance alone. Seek appropriate expert identification.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

Similar species and distinguishing characters have not been documented for B. baudinensis.

As general land-snail search practice, crews may encounter live snails or empty shells. These signs alone do not confirm the species. Retain material and seek expert identification where required.

Distribution: Known range

Occurrence records place the species in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, across a small number of mapped grid locations.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 18 WA records at four distinct 0.1-degree locations, spanning latitude -15.1 to -14.1 and longitude 125.5 to 126.2. Records outside WA were excluded as likely errors.

These records describe known occurrences, not the species' full range or current occupancy.

Distribution: WA region and status

The DBCA list identifies the Kimberley region. Precise named occurrence sites are not recorded.

The WA listing is Priority 3, meaning poorly known, known from several locations, and not under imminent threat. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. No national listing is given.

Habitat: Habitat information

Species-specific habitat, vegetation, landforms and soil types have not been documented.

Do not infer occupancy from a habitat type or from the species' regional records alone.

Habitat: Site interpretation

For project planning, document the actual vegetation, ground conditions and landforms across the proposed work area without treating any of them as confirmed habitat for this snail.

Use nearby verified records and site-specific survey results to inform decisions where available.

Foraging habitat: Diet and foraging

The species' diet, feeding behaviour and foraging locations have not been documented.

Avoid making species-specific assumptions about food plants or feeding substrates.

Foraging habitat: Field recording

If a snail is found feeding, record its exact position and the immediate substrate or plant association as an observation, not as an established dietary requirement.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding biology is poorly known.

Breeding season, egg-laying sites, clutch size and development have not been documented for this species.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not schedule or clear an area on the assumption that breeding is absent at a particular time of year. Treat occupied or potentially occupied ground cautiously unless survey evidence and project approvals support another approach.

Sheltering habitat: Sheltering information

Shelter sites, resting behaviour and aestivation have not been documented for this species.

Particular refuges or substrates used by this species have not been identified.

Sheltering habitat: General search practice

As general land-snail survey practice, inspect ground-level cover and sheltered surfaces carefully where access and safety allow. Record the exact search location and conditions, and do not describe a general search target as a confirmed species refuge.

Threats: Recorded threats

Specific threats to Baudinella baudinensis have not been identified.

No species-specific threat assessment or impact pathways have been documented. The Priority 3 category describes the species as poorly known, known from several locations and not under imminent threat.

Threats: Works-site risks

Physical disturbance from clearing or ground works is a potential project impact to assess for terrestrial fauna, not a documented species-specific threat.

Use the project risk assessment and applicable approvals to set controls. Do not assume this species is absent or unaffected.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific survey methods and detectability are unknown. Apply suitable general land-snail survey practice and document the limits of each survey.

Check current DBCA information, occurrence records and the project footprint. Atlas of Living Australia records show WA occurrences at four distinct 0.1-degree locations, but do not give precise sites.

Identify areas to search from site observations and the project risk assessment. No species-specific habitat features are defined for use as a search filter.

Survey methodology: 2. Field search and records

As general land-snail practice, search suitable ground-level surfaces and cover systematically, and record live animals, shells, search effort and conditions. An empty-shell record does not prove current occupancy.

Photograph finds in place where practical. Preserve location details and refer uncertain identifications to a qualified malacologist. No species-specific detectability information is available, so report non-detections with survey limitations.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Confirm records and scope

The species' habitat and detectability are poorly documented. Plan site checks before disturbance and make uncertainty explicit.

Review current records and consult the relevant DBCA advice for the project area. Confirm that survey and management requirements align with approvals and the proposed disturbance footprint.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Pre-clearance checks

Arrange a suitably qualified fauna survey before clearing where the risk assessment or approvals require it. Mark search areas and any confirmed finds for the work crew.

Brief crews on the possibility of finding land snails or shells and on the reporting and stop-work process. Do not rely on the common name or regional records as evidence that a particular work area is occupied.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Work controls

Use clear site controls and a response process for any live snail or potentially relevant shell found during works.

Keep disturbance within the approved footprint and follow site-specific environmental controls. Avoid unnecessary handling or movement of snails and shells.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Unexpected finds

If a live snail or potentially relevant shell is found, pause work in the immediate area where safe, protect the find from further disturbance and notify the environmental representative.

Record the location and obtain competent identification and direction before work resumes in the affected area. Follow project approvals and DBCA advice.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Close-out records

Record outcomes and review controls after works, especially where fauna were detected or survey coverage was limited.

Document survey effort, finds, identification outcomes, work areas affected and any actions taken. Keep records linked to mapped locations and project reporting.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review and follow-up

Check that agreed disturbance limits and any approval conditions were followed. Seek specialist advice on follow-up where a find was confirmed or uncertainty remains.

Do not interpret a lack of detections as evidence of absence without considering survey timing, effort and the unknown detectability of the species.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed areas

No species-specific rehabilitation requirements have been identified. Follow project approvals and site-specific ecological advice.

Rehabilitate areas in line with the approved plan, using suitable local methods and materials. Do not claim that a particular plant, substrate or shelter feature is required by this snail unless supported by site evidence or specialist advice.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor outcomes

Record rehabilitation actions and inspect outcomes as required by the project. If the species was confirmed at the site, obtain specialist advice on whether and how monitoring should address it.

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