Chinese Pond Snails from Dongping Lake

Chinese Pond Snails from Dongping Lake

　　Dongping Lake is a natural breeding ground for Chinese Pond Snails, with an annual production of over 1,500 tons.

　　The pond snail, belonging to the Gastropoda class and Viviparidae family, has a slightly conical shell that is either smooth or marked with vertical ridges. The Chinese Pond Snail is common and widely distributed, with a shell height of 6 cm, consisting of 6–7 whorls and deep sutures between them. Its oval-shaped aperture has a horny operculum. It thrives in lakes, ponds, paddy fields, and slow-moving streams. They are dioecious, ovoviviparous, and develop through internal fertilization. With their broad foot, they can crawl on aquatic plants or the lakebed, demonstrating strong adaptability to the environment. The Chinese Pond Snails in Dongping Lake originally came from Dao Tun Wa in our county. To develop this resource on a large scale, in 1974 the foreign trade department transplanted over 500 kilograms to the west of Buzi Village at Dongping Lake. Within two to three years, the population expanded to 20,000 mu (approximately 1,333 hectares), growing well and becoming one of the lake’s most economically valuable aquatic species. During the peak catching season in April and May, fishermen can harvest over 100 kilograms per boat per day.

　　Lake-produced pond snails are known for their large size, thin shells, abundant meat, delicious taste, and high nutritional value. They have long been a popular and marketable product both domestically and internationally. As early as 1972, our county’s foreign trade department exported large quantities of frozen snail meat to countries such as Japan, with an annual export volume typically around 120,000 kilograms, peaking at up to 400,000 kilograms in high-export years.

　　Snail meat offers both culinary and medicinal benefits. When boiled in salted water and served with chili oil, it is spicy, flavorful, and helps clear heat and detoxify the body. It also provides relief for conditions such as urinary discomfort and jaundice. The snail shells are rich in calcium and, when crushed and processed, can be used as high-quality feed for fish and chickens.

　　In recent years, lake-produced pond snails have remained consistently popular, becoming a must-try delicacy for tourists visiting Dongping Lake and a premium dish served at banquets in hotels across major cities.