The hunt for mud snails

A TINY INVASION—Left, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission environmental scientist Jack Topel, left, and Santa Monica Baykeeper director of watershed programs Mark Abramson track the progression of New Zealand mud snails in Las Virgenes Creek. Below left, the mud snail is an invasive species that reproduces rapidly and can blanket the bottom of creeks and streams. It hitchhikes from stream to stream by clinging to horses, boots and boats. It consumes large amounts of food that normally would sustain other wildlife.