Paryphanta busbyi is a species of large predatory land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Rhytididae.

The whole surface of the shell is microscopically decussated by exceedingly fine and dense radiate and spiral lines, the latter slightly wavy.

On the underside of the mantle is the usual prominent lappet, which conceals the respiratory and anal pores, and in addition to this, it has a long, narrow fold on the left side.

[7] The length of the radula is about an inch, and 10 millimetres (0.4 in) in width at the anterior end, tapering to a point posteriorly, with about 104 transverse rows of denticles (tiny teeth).

Its posterior end is curved down and forward, and a powerful ventral muscle firmly binds it to the more anterior cylindrical portion.

The salivary glands are situated upon the posterior half of the buccal mass; they are fused together in the median line and partly envelope the oesophagus.

From the anterior end of each gland proceeds a small salivary duct, which enters the buccal cavity a little below the œsophageal opening.

The stomach forms a simple elongated sac, and the tract of the intestine does not appear to differ from Powelliphanta hochstetteri.

The above-mentioned ridge examined in section proves to be tubular; it continues into the tissue of the mantle and appears to unite with the blood-sinus contained therein.

[7] The suprapedal gland opens between the head and foot immediately below the mouth; it forms a long flattish structure, much folded and lying on the floor of the body cavity.

From the termination of the gland, the usual tube or duct proceeds through the substance of the foot but does not form a caudal mucous pit.

There is a remarkable extreme reduction of male organs in Paryphanta busbyi and the absence of receptaculum seminis (spermatheca).

There is a blunt, somewhat triangular, projection of the vaginal wall, with a retractor muscle proceeding to the adjoining body-wall; this is the only evidence of the male organs before any of the surrounding tissue has been dissected away.

This is the posterior termination of the penis, which passes into the vas deferens without any perceptible change, except a slight diminution of the tube.

The anterior portion of the vagina forms a wide chamber, closed posteriorly by a valve-like papillar structure; the interior walls are slightly darkish in colour and weakly longitudinally plicated.

[7] The penis opens into the posterior portion of the papillar structure in the form of a small tube; it proceeds through the thick vaginal wall in an oblique anterior direction, and becomes slightly enlarged or bulbous towards its termination.

From this point to the albumen gland, it is a well-marked area of a rusty brownish tint and somewhat separated from the uteral portion by the longitudinal folds.

The albumen gland is very large, a usual feature in this group of animals; in outline, it is roughly boot-shaped.

[7] These large snails live in litter, among plants on the ground and under logs in kauri forests and in shrubland.

[4] In some areas they have been reported to at times frequent underground habitats including burrowing deep into soft soil.

[4] The activity is most strongly correlated with higher humidity and still air which may assist the snails to track their prey.

[4] This snail sometimes lives in trees, very likely in clusters of semiparasitic plants, where it may find its natural food, earthworms.

[4] Already Henry Suter noted in 1913, that this species is being rapidly exterminated by the destruction of its natural habitat - (the kauri forests), by bush-fires, and by rats and pigs.

was listed in appendix II of CITES and it was removed, because collection is not a significant factor of this species (and the genus) decline.