Live Daedalochila auriculata From Along CR 208 East Of Picolata (11/5/2008)
     While not a rare species in western St. Johns County, finding a living specimen usually requires considerable time and effort as well as a certain amount of luck. Live specimens are invariably found hiding beneath vegetation in proximity to a permanent or temporary source of moisture (creek, ditch, etc.) usually in an area that is shaded or partially shaded during the hottest portion of the day.  The specimens illustrated below were unusual in that all four were found in the open within a one meter square area - the first time this reporter has found living specimens in a similar situation. This find may represent a mating aggregation such as been observed with other northeast Florida terrestrial species (See: Otala punctata (Müller, 1774) Mating Aggregation | Egg Laying).