Tiny computers mounted on snail shells helped reveal how one species escaped extinction On the island of Tahiti, scientists have discovered how one snail species survived extinction while others fell prey to an invasive carnivorous snail. Using tiny millimetre-sized computers, they found the native white-shelled Partula hyalina snail had been using sunlight to survive. Social Sharing CBC Radio · Posted: Jul 16, 2021 3:18 PM ET | Last Updated: July 16 A rosy wolf snail in Tahiti with a Michigan Micro Mote computer mounted on its shell. The snail is an invasive species, and has attacked indigenous tree snails on the island.(University of Michigan )