Rare Left-Spiraling Snail Sparks Nationwide Search for Love in New Zealand

On August 28, 2025, a gardener in Wairarapa, New Zealand, made a serendipitous discovery that has captivated the country. Giselle Clarkson, an author and illustrator, was digging in her garden when she stumbled upon a rare left-spiraling snail, now named Ned.

Ned's unique shell condition, which occurs in only one in 40,000 garden snails, means his reproductive organs don't align with the vast majority of other snails. This has made finding a mate for Ned a challenging task. Clarkson, who was already familiar with this rare snail asymmetry from her work with New Zealand Geographic, immediately recognized the significance of her find.

Now, Clarkson is leading a nationwide effort to help Ned find love. She has been encouraging young and old across New Zealand to take up "observology" – the science of closely observing the natural world around them. Clarkson believes that by honing their observational skills, people are more likely to spot Ned's potential mate, a fellow left-spiraling snail.

While the odds of Ned finding a compatible partner may not be high, Clarkson remains hopeful that the country's love of nature will give Ned a chance at romance. For now, Ned waits patiently in Clarkson's fishtank, protected from hungry birds, as the search continues for his perfect match.