Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum, O F Muller, 1774)
Family: Helicidae
For over two centuries it was classified under the name “Helix aspersa”, now it is put under the genus of Cornu.
The shell is around 2.5 to 4cm across (fully matured)
This species is a common, edible land snail, widespread over the UK and much of Europe, especially Central and Western Europe. Regarded as a food source. it has now become the most commonly farmed species in Europe and many other countries in the world. Cornu aspersum is native to the Mediterranean and spread to Western Europe, by introduction methods, also unintentionally introduced to temperate and subtropical countries.
Habitat: C. aspersum, is a very robust land snail, that is able to adapt to a wide variety of diverse locations. Can be found in most sheltered places, especially close to overgrown and neglected areas of growth, where it generally thrives in areas of base rich soils. Also, hedgerows, coastal locations amongst the rocks and along the cliffs, stone quarries, urban gardens. It is also found in deciduous woodland in the UK.
The garden Snail has two pairs of tentacles, the larger upper two are eyes, the lower pair are smell sensors. Below these are the mouth parts, which contains a chitinous radula (a structure of tiny teeth) which enables the Garden snail to manipulate plant matter, by continuous scrapes.
Movement is aided with the release of a mucus secretion, from underneath the main foot of the body.
During extreme weather conditions, C. aspersum is able to adapt by producing a mucus, which seals the shell’s entrance; being a protection from the excessive hot weather. The snail will enter a period known as “aestivation.” (a form of hibernation in the hot summer months.) Also, the mucus protection aids the snail from the diverse cold winter months and small predators, such as ants, through the winter hibernation period.
Regarded as a serious pest in gardens and agriculture.
C. aspersum will feast on a vast variety of plants and shrubs, including a wide range of crop plants, particularly vegetable, cereal and ornamental plants. Also, causing serious damage in citrus groves and vineyards, if not timely checked.
In its “natural habitat” it favours wild plants Urtica dioica (stinging nettle family) and Hedera helix (Ivy family).
Garden Snails have both male and female reproductive organs, so are able to self-fertilise; but in the beginning they need to find a mate for this to materialise. The snails will enter a “love dance” this can last from several minutes up to an hour. Both partners will attempt to manoeuvre into an advantageable position, which will enable the successful partner to release a “love-dart,” (A sharp stylet, made up of calcium carbonate, containing sperm coated in a mucus of chemicals), piercing the skin on impact and entering the other partners body fluids. The snails will then proceed to mate by engaging and entwine with each other, within a mucus of chemicals produced from the effects of the “love-dart”.
After mating has taken place, the snails will go their separate ways and lay their eggs, buried in soil.
In the images below, shows C. aspersum snails, mating.