This species is endemic to the Tennessee River and its larger tributaries, but it has been largely extirpated due to pollution and the construction of dams.

The preferred water depth for this species is up to 1.5 m. These snails feed on the algal coating on rocks.

Females lay between 20-100 eggs, which begin to hatch after 15 days.

The shell morphology is very variable, with some individuals totally lacking spines.

Additionally, this snail has served as the emblem for the American Malacological Society since 1960.