Wild Life Report 1, National Sillygraphic Society, September 12, 2012

Clerk of the Ministry of Silly E-mails discovers two new species of snails!

While she was watching the Olympics last August, Ms. M., clerk 2nd class of the Ministry of Silly E-mails, saw something move across her coffee table. Two her utmost surprise two strangely coloured molluscs rushed at full speed to the box of fruit-flavoured sprinkles standing at the table. Fortunately the flabbergasted civil servant had the presence of mind to fully document the animals from all sides.

After consultation of several scientists working in the field of mollusc studies, it appeared that these two species of molluscs were never sighted before. Both belong to the class of gastropods, but one is considered to be a land slug, the other a land snail. Their typical, but cheerful colouring is due to their favourite food: ‘De Ruyter’s fruit-flavoured sprinkles’.

At the request of their finder, the slug, which is related to the red slug or Arion rufus, was given the scientific name Arion rufus dormousianus. The Dutch name will be Vruchtenhagelslak (fruit flavoured slug). The snail, which is related to the Helicigona lapicida or Stone cutter, has been named Helicigona sucrosa or Sugar cutter.

Until now these species have only been sighted at two places in the Netherlands: Voordorp and Overvecht, both Utrecht districts. The two specimens at the coffee table of the civil servant have departed in an easterly direction. They told her they were bound for Warsaw, where a little boy was waiting for them. They hoped to arrive there before the beginning of the winter, but it seems they have already reached their destination a few days ago. According to reports they got a lift from a black stork, which forgot it’s bathing suit during it’s migration flight to Southern Africa and had to return to it’s Polish breeding grounds...

Contact for further information:

Ministry of Silly E-mails
National Sillygraphic Society
Villa Dark Horse
The Hague
www.villahetzwartepaard.nl