Daedalochila auriculata (Say, 1818) Ocala Liptooth In Putnam County, Florida

Elbow Branch On Cedar Creek Road Near Bostwick

    During a field survey on 11/9/2010, Brian Marshal found seven empty Daedalochila auriculata shells on the east side of the Elbow Branch bridge on Cedar Creek Road immediately adjacent to the west bank of the St. Johns River [GPS: 29.47211N 081.34434W - WGS-84 Datum). No live specimens could be located at that time. As the crow flies, this location is about 3.85 miles east northeast of Bostwick but it is considerably further by road which includes driving to the river on Palmetto Bluff Road and then turning north northwest on Cedar Creek Road.

    On 3/3/2015, over four years after Brian's initial discovery, this reporter visited the Elbow Branch Daedalochila habitat. Three specimens, including one live snail, were easily located. A feisty venomous  Florida Cottonmouth [Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti] was also found sharing the habitat which suggested that more exploring of the heavily vegetated site might not be a good idea without snake boot protection on this unseasonably warm day.

Elbow Branch bridge on Cedar Creek Road looking towards the east