Viviparidae

The Viviparidae family, also known as viviparids, are freshwater snails belonging to the genus Viviparus. These snails are characterized by their greenish, often brown-banded, operculate shells. A key feature of this family is that they give birth to live young, a trait reflected in their name, which derives from the Latin word for "bearing live young".1

While most gastropods originate from marine environments, the Viviparidae have adapted to freshwater habitats. Some species within the Vivipara genus have been known to live for up to 20 years in captivity. The young of viviparids develop within a brood pouch or uterus, hatching as fully formed snails ready to crawl.2