Also known as the "wood snail," or the Spanish "vaqueta".
Western European in origin, and has been introduced to many places in the U.S. from Massachusetts to California and from Tennessee up into Canada.
It is very similar to Cepaea hortensis (Helix hortensis) which has a white inner lip where C. nemoralis has a dark inner lip. The above photos are of C. nemoralis which were found in Queens, New York. Both species are quite variable in terms of coloration and banding. They grow to about 25mm across the shell and live in habitats ranging from Sand dunes to forests.
It mainly eats dead plant material, but it likes nettles and buttercups and will even eat dead worms and dead snails. Mine will, on occasion, eat cucumber and lettuce.
Taxonomists of yore named scores of subspecies and forms going by color and pattern alone. Most of those names are now considered invalid. A friend collected dozens on neighborhood trees in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Some even come in pink, but the pink soon fades. The differences in colors and banding in these snails, according to Professor J.James Murray, Jr. of the University of Virginia, is believed to be a genetic response to changes in the snails environment. Below I have put an image of other variations of these snails, take from Professor Murrays page. I have written to him asking for permission and received it 7/28/03. To read a little more about Professor Murrays work click here.
