Garden Snail or White Garden Snail (Helix aspersa / Cornu aspersum)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Stylommatophora, Family: Helicidae, Genus: Cornu, Species: C. aspersum · Helicidae (Typical Garden Snails) · Gastropod (terrestrial land snail), whole shell, spiral shape
Species
Cornu aspersum
Shell Type
Gastropod (terrestrial land snail), whole shell, spiral shape
Family
Helicidae (Typical Garden Snails)
Size
Approximately 1 inch in diameter, which is typical for an adult garden snail. Full-grown specimens generally range between 1 to 1.5 inches.
Color & Pattern
Cream to light brown base color featuring distinctive dark brown or chestnut spiral bands and broken zig-zag markings. The surface shows a slightly chalky texture due to weathering.
Rarity
Very Common
Habitat
Terrestrial habitats including gardens, agricultural fields, woodlands, and urban green spaces. Prefers damp, humid environments and hides under leaf litter, rocks, or logs during dry periods.
Geographic Range
Originally native to the Mediterranean region and Western Europe, but now widely introduced and established globally across temperate and subtropical regions worldwide.
Description
A compact, globose land snail shell featuring a low-spired spiral with roughly four to five rapidly expanding whorls. The surface has fine growth lines and a mottled banding pattern of rich brown over a lighter yellowish-brown or cream background.
Key Features
Globular depressed spire, rounded body whorl, narrow umbilicus partially covered by the columellar lip, and characteristic brown interrupted bands.
Collector Value
Low collectible value. While widely recognized and abundant, they are generally viewed as common garden specimens rather than prized collector items, worth very little commercially.
Condition Notes
Fair condition; the shell is structurally intact with some surface weathering, sun-bleaching, and a slightly chalky patina, lacking its glossy periostracum layer.
Interesting Facts
Cornu aspersum is a hermaphrodite, meaning each individual possesses both male and female reproductive organs. They are famous agricultural pests in many parts of the world, but are also farmed commercially for culinary use (escargot).
Ecological Role
Acts as a herbivore and detritivore, feeding on decaying plant matter and living vegetation. Serves as an important food source for numerous birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Similar Species
Cepaea nemoralis (Grove Snail) and Theba pisana (White Garden Snail), which can be distinguished by differences in size, banding patterns, and aperture shape.
Beach Finding Tips
Not a beach shell; found by searching terrestrial gardens, damp stonewalls, or forest floors, particularly after rainfall when land snails become active.