Key to the SNAILS of the Bristol Region

Andrew Daw Tessa Ivison

This publication has been supported by The Bristol Magpies A friends group of Bristols Museums, Galleries and Archives

Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC)

www.brerc.org.uk
BRERC Third Floor Bristol Central Library College Green Bristol BS1 5TL Tel: 0117 9349833 Fax: 0117 9273918 Email: [email protected]
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SNAILS of the Bristol Region

External Characteristics

Shapes of Shell

Pointed

Globular

Flat

Shell Features

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Shell Features Counting Whorls

Draw a line across the shell lined up with the centre. The number of complete whorls (first whorl shown in red) will match the number of times the line crosses the spiral here 3. Add on the amount for any incomplete whorls to give the final count This gives a total of 3.25 whorls for this example.

Whorls
A = Slowly expanding (or tightly packed) whorls. B = Rapidly expanding whorls.

Teeth

Some species of snails have teeth like features in the mouth of the shell.

Illustrations

Each set of illustrations for a snail will include a life-size representation of the snail in the bottom left hand corner. The other parts of the illustration will be shown at a scale indicated by a scale bar in cm or mm and a magnification (e.g. 3x).

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Key

Height of shell greater than width

...

Height of shell not greater than width

...

18

Mouth of shell to left (sinistral)

...

Mouth of shell to right (dextral)

...

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TALL, THIN, LEFT SIDED SHELLS

Teeth absent

...

Tree Snail Balea (Balea) perversa

Mouth square Rocky outcrops & stone walls

Teeth present Plaited Door Snail Cochlodina laminata

...

4
Two-toothed Door Snail Clausilia (Clausilia) bidentata

Rolphs Door Snail Macrogastra rolphii

Shell smooth, glossy & translucent with only faint growth lines. Common, climbs trees & walls when wet.

Distinct vertical ribbing, widest point of shell greater than 3mm. Woodland leaf litter & rocky outcrops

Distinct growth lines, widest point of shell less than 3mm Leaf litter in woodland & hedges

TALL, THIN, RIGHT SIDED SHELLS

Height greater than 10 mm

...

Height between 4 -10 mm

...

9 13

Height up to 4 mm

...

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TALL, THIN, RIGHT SIDED SHELLS GREATER THAN 10mm

6 7

Mouth greater than half the height of the whole shell. Very rapidly expanding whorls. Mouth less than half the height of the whole shell. Round-Mouthed Snail Pomatias elegans

...

8 7
Mountain Bulin Ena montana

Pointed Snail Cochlicella (Cochlicella) acuta

Shell wide and thick with deep horizontal striations. Live specimens have operculum (trap door) Common in moist calcareous areas.

Very tall & thin, though height variable (10-30 mm) Shell white or ginger with or without dark bands or blotches Coastal dunes & grassland.

Found in ancient woodland and hedgerows Rare

See 12 (Merdigera obscura)

Shell greater than 12mm in height. Adult snail has a pale body colour.

...

Amber Snail Succinea putris

Common in fens, marshes and reed-beds

Shell no more than 12mm in height. Adult has a dark body colour.

...

Pfeiffers Amber Snail Oxyloma (Oxyloma) elegans

Similar habitats to S. Putris Page 7 of 20

TALL, THIN, RIGHT SIDED SHELLS 4-10 mm TALL

9 10

Teeth present

.........

10 11
Three-toothed Snail Azeca goodalli

Teeth absent Large Chrysalis Snail Abida secale

.........

Shell thick, rough & strongly striated Rocky outcrops & open habitats in calcareous areas

Shell thin & glossy, brown or white Shell pattern variable Leaf litter in woodlands

11 12

Mouth greater than half the height of the whole shell. Very rapidly expanding whorls. Mouth less than half the height of the whole shell. Blind Snail Cecilioides (Ceciliodes) acicula

...

8 12
Lesser Bulin Merdigera obscura

Slippery Snail Cochlicopa cf. lubrica Or Least Slippery Snail Cochlicopa cf. lubricella
Illustrated: Cochlicopa lubrica

Shell very narrow (approximately 1mm), mouth large Lives underground in calcareous habitats, may be found near surface in mole hills

Shell smooth and very glossy Dissection of shell needed see Kerney & Cameron. Common in a variety of habitats

Shell dull, fine growth lines and thick white lip. Woodland & scrub See 7 (Ena montana)

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TALL, THIN RIGHT SIDED SHELLS LESS THAN 4 mm TALL

13 14 15

Mouth with one or no teeth

.........

14 17 15 16
Moss Snail Pupilla (Pupilla) muscorum

Mouth with more than one tooth

.........

Mouth with distinctly thickened lip

.........

Mouth without thickened lip Chrysalis Snail Lauria (Lauria) cylindracea

.........

Single tooth contiguous with lip Lip of the shell is pale in fresh specimens. Common, often found under ivy on stone walls

Single or no tooth, lip not connected. Pale stripe behind mouth of shell. Open grassland, rocky outcrops, walls & sand dunes.

16

Point Snail Acicula fusca

Chrysalis Snails Columella sp.

Shell with distinct vertical ribbing moist leaf litter or moss in ancient woodland

Shell with only very faint striations Common in damp and calcareous areas

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TALL, THIN RIGHT SIDED SHELLS LESS THAN 4 mm TALL

17

Herald Snails Carychium tridentatum & C. minimum

Illustrated: Carychium tridentatum

English Chrysalis Snail Leiostyla anglica

Common Whorl Snail Vertigo (Vertigo) pygmaea

Examination of internal shell characteristics needed. See Kerney & Cameron. Variety of habitats. C. minimum prefers wetter places.

Mouth pinched Damp places in woods & marshes

Full mouth! Dry calcareous grassland & sand dunes

SHELL GLOBULAR OR FLAT IN SHAPE

18

Width of shell greater than 25mm

.........

19

Width of shell

7 25mm

.........

20

Width of shell

3 - 7mm

.........

34

Width of shell less than

3mm

.........

37

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WIDTH OF SHELL GREATER THAN 25 mm

19

Shell creamy yellow

.........

Roman Snail Helix (Helix) pomatia

Loose calcarious soil, generally not in gardens.

Shell blotched, striped or flecked dark brown

.........

Common Garden Snail Cornu aspersum

Umbillicus absent. Found in gardens, generally not in woodland or scrub.

WIDTH OF SHELL 7-25 mm

20

Shell sharply keeled

.........

21 22

Shell with blunt or no keel

.........

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WIDTH OF SHELL 7-25 mm

21

Lapidary Snail Helicigona lapicida

Girdled Snail Hygromia (Hygromia) cinctella

Large umbilicus Rocky ground & stone walls in calcareous areas

Small umbilicus Woods, hedgerows, orchards & gardens

note size difference and relative umbillicus size see also 24 (Candidula) and 30 (Trochulus (Trochulus) striolatus) Shell with dark spiral bands, flecking or blotching Shell white, yellow or brown with no darker bands or blotching .........

22 23

23 28
(Helicidae)

.........

Shell with flecking or blotching with or without dark spiral band

.........

24

Shell with dark spiral bands but no flecking or blotching

.........

25

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WIDTH OF SHELL 7-25 mm

24

Copse Snail Arianta arbustorum

Wrinkled Snail & Eccentric Snail Candidula intersecta & Candidula gigaxii
Illustration: Candidula intersecta

Rounded Snail Discus (Gonyodiscus) rotundatus

Shell globular and may have blotches May be confused with 19 (Cornu aspersum), note presence of umbilicus here. Moist habitats

The amount of stripes on the shell can be variable, or absent. Height of shell less than of width Shell spire flattened with Candidula gigaxii. Calcareous areas Consider young specimens of 26 (Cernuella virgata).

Shell flattened, very large umbilicus Moist areas

25 26

Base colour of shell whitish

.........

26 27
Heath Snail Helicella itala

Base colour of shell yellow, brown or pinkish brown Banded Snail Cernuella (Cernuella) virgata

.........

Shell globular, spire raised (height at least of width), and umbilicus small. The amount of stripes on the shell can be variable, or absent. Dry, exposed calcareous areas.

Flattened on top, large umbilicus Dry, exposed calcareous areas.

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WIDTH OF SHELL 7-25 mm

27

Shell with white lip

.........

White-lipped Snail Cepaea (Cepaea) hortensis

Shell with brown lip

.........

Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea (Cepaea) nemoralis

*young and growing snails may lack lip making identification difficult

The number and thickness of stripes are very variable with both C. hortensis and C. nemoralis. The colouration of the shells can be variable too, from yellow, through brown to pink.

GLOBULAR SHELLS 7-25 mm WIDE WITH NO DARKER BANDS OR DARK BLOTCHING

28

Shell hairy

.........

29

Warning: Hairs may wear off adults and Juveniles of several species are hairy

Shell not hairy

.........

30

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GLOBULAR SHELLS 7-25 mm WIDE WITH NO DARKER BANDS OR DARK BLOTCHING

29

Hairy Snail Trochulus (Trochulus) hispidus

Silky Snail Ashfordia granulata

Obvious umbilicus Common in a variety of habitats. See also 30 (Trochulus (Trochulus) striolatus)

Very small umbilicus Damp, shady places.

Warning: hairs may wear off, check in the umbillicus. Juveniles of many species are hairy.

30

Shell has dull keel with pale band just inside lip of shell. Adult shell usually greater than 10mm wide.

.........

Strawberry Snail Trochulus (Trochulus) striolatus

Gardens, hedges, woodlands * hairy when young

Shell not like this

.........

31
Kentish Snail Monacha (Monacha) cantiana

31

Shell colour white to transparent, pinkish ......... tinge near mouth

Not found in woodland Page 15 of 20

Shell colour not white to transparent, pinkish tinge near mouth

32

GLOBULAR SHELLS 7-25 mm WIDE WITH NO DARKER BANDS OR DARK BLOTCHING

32

Aegopinella & Oxychilus Shell flattened, glossy or waxy, obviously wider than tall Shell not this shape .........

See Table 1.
.........

33

Table 1
Draparnauds Snail Oxychilus (Oxychilus) draparnaudi Cellar Snail Oxychilus (Oxychilus) cellarius Glossy Glass Snail Oxychilus (Oxychilus) navarricus subsp. helveticus Garlic Snail Oxychilus (Oxychilus) alliarius Smooth Glass Snail Aegopinella nitidula Clear Glass Snail Aegopinella pura Shiny Glass Snail Zonitoides (Zonitoides) nitidus Hollowed Glass Snail Zonitoides (Zonitellus) excavatus Rayed Glass Snail Nesovitrea (Perpolita) hammonis

Oxychilus and Aegopinella Characteristics

Adult Shell Width & No. of Whorls 11-16 mm 5.5-6 whorls 9-12 mm 5.5-6 whorls 8-10 mm 5 whorls Spire very flattened Shell colour yellow-brown, slightly opaque, waxy very pale, transparent, glossy light brown, yellowish tinge, very glossy

very flattened

slightly raised

6-8 mm 4-4.5 whorls 8-10 mm 4.5 whorls 3.5-4 mm 3.5 whorls 5-6 mm 4.5 whorls 6-7 mm 4.5 whorls 3.5-4 mm 3.5 whorls

slightly raised

slightly raised slightly raised raised, more than Aegopinella. Almost triangular cross-section raised, more than Aegopinella. Almost triangular cross-section. slightly raised, rise more rounded than Aegopinella

yellowish brown to greenish, almost transparent. yellow-brown, waxy

pale brown, transparent, shiny pale brown, translucent, glossy pale brown, translucent with distinct striations

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33

Shell less than 10mm

.........

Dusky Snail Zenobiella subrufescens

Damp wooded areas

Shell more than 15 mm

.........

27

Cepaea sp.

GLOBULAR SHELLS 3 7 mm WIDE

34

Shell With rapidly expanding body whorl

Pellucid Glass Snail Vitrina pellucida

Live animal mostly seen in winter, mantle pale

Pellucid Glass Snail Vitrina pellucida

Or Greater Pellucid Glass Snail Phenacolimax major

Live animal mostly seen in summer, mantle dark Variety of moist habitats

Live animal

Shell more tightly coiled

.........

35
a Tawny Glass Snail Euconulus fulvus agg.

35

Shell almost triangular

.........

Various moist habitats

Shell flattened

.........

36

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36

Shell with dark bands

.........

24
Aegopinella & Oxychilus

Shell monotone

.........

See Table 1. GLOBULAR SHELLS LESS THAN 3 mm WIDE

37 38

Shell with distinctly thickened lip

.........

38 41 39 40

Shell with no lip

.........

Shell with distinct ribbing

.........

Shell with ribbing absent or indistinct

.........

GLOBULAR SHELLS LESS THAN 3 mm WIDE

39

Ribbed Grass Snail Vallonia costata

Prickly Snail Acanthinula aculeata

Shell flattened Exposed calcareous places

Shell more globular More sheltered habitats

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40

Milky Crystal Snail Vitrea contracta

Eccentric Grass Snail Vallonia cf. excentrica

a Smooth Grass Snail Vallonia pulchella agg.

Shell white Dry calcareous areas

Eccentric umbilicus. No protruding lip to mouth Open calcareous grassland

Umbilicus not obviously eccentric Protruding lip to mouth Dry calcareous grassland

41

Dwarf Snail Punctum (Punctum) pygmaeum

Rock Snail Pyramidula pusilla

Shell brown, minute (less than 2mm wide) Moist places, woodland leaf litter & marshes

Shell brown (about 3mm wide) and heavily striated. Exposed rocky outcrops & walls

Please send any records to

Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC)

(a record should contain what is it, where was it, when was it seen and who saw it)

www.brerc.org.uk
BRERC Third Floor Bristol Central Library College Green Bristol BS1 5TL Tel: 0117 9349833 Fax: 0117 9273918 Email: [email protected]

Records provided to BRERC are deemed to be made available for BRERC to use in accordance with its role as a Local Environmental Records Centre. As such records may be distributed by BRERC to third parties, in a variety of formats, such as through the National Biodiversity Network Gateway and other websites. Personal information is not supplied by BRERC to data enquirers and names are blanked out on copies of records and reports sent to them. Names and addresses may also be used by BRERC when mailing newsletters, recording forms and other information or publicity material. More details of BRERC policies can be found at www.brerc.org.uk

BRERC cover the Avon area of North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, and Bath and North East Somerset.
BRERC receives funding and support from Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Natural England, Environment Agency and Avon Wildlife Trust. Page 19 of 20