The genus Cychrus contains several old growth and stenotopic forest species in Europe.

They are a nice example of a highly specialised genus, which has developed through it's evolution the perfect shape for chasing it's prey: all the Cychrus species have a very small and elongated head and jaws, which are prefectly designed to capture terrestrial snails in their shells.

The two species with the widest distribution range are Cychrus caraboides and Cychrus attenuatus. Cychrus attenuatus seems nowhere numerous in Western Europe, and is only found in low numbers in old growth forests, often on hilly slopes. Cychrus caraboides, occurs in humid and alluvial forests, and can be locally common.

Here is an image of Cychrus caraboides, showing well it's head and jaw design.

Under here some extra pictures of both species, Cychrus caraboides (first image), and Cychrus attenuatus (second image).

 For extra pictures from Cychrus species, please take a look at my stock photography.