The Grove Unbanded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis) is an air-breathing pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the Helicidae family of terrestrial (land) snails. It is also known as the Brown-Lipped Snail. It is an invertebrate, because it does not have a backbone. Its shell is its exo-skeleton (outside skeleton).
The Grove Snail can be varied in its appearance. The colour of its shell can be reddish, brownish, yellow, or creamy-white, with or without bands. The surface of its shell is semi-glossy. The shell has a right-handed whorl, which is called a dextral shell. The Grove Unbanded Snail’s shell is tan-brown and does not have prominent dark-brown bands or stripes. It has a white lip instead of a brown lip. Its head extends to form a snout (proboscis). It has tentacles on its head. Its eyes are at the tip of the tentacles.
It measures about 2.5 centimetres (one inch) in diameter.
It is common across western Europe. It likes a wide range of habitats fro coastlines to woodlands.
It is usually diurnal, active mainly during the day. In winter, it may hibernate, but can become active again during warm days.
The Grove Unbanded Snail is herbivorous, feeding on decaying plant matter.
It is hermaphroditic, which means that it is both male and female. It lays about 30-50 eggs, which hatch after 15-20 days. The eggs are deposited in a leaf, usually in the rainy season.
The Grove Unbanded Snail lives for 7-8 years.
Location of photographs: Paris, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM