**Helix aspersa**Helix aspersa(Muller)
Family Helicidae
Also known as the French "petit gris," (small grey snail), the "escargot chagrine," or "La Zigrinata."
It's Everywhere! Native to the shores of the Mediterranean and the coast of Spain and France. It seems to be the most widely distributed snail. It is found on many British Isles, where the Romans introduced it in the first century A.D. (Some references say it dates to the Early Bronze Age.) In the early 1800's the French brought it into California where it ate just about anything and became a serious pest. These snails are now common throughout the U.S. It was introduced into several Eastern and Gulf states even before 1850 and, later introduced into other countries such as South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, and Argentina. It is the one most often served in restaurants. The shell of a mature adult has four to five whorls and measures 30 to 45mm across. H. aspersa has a life span of 2 to 5 years. This species is more adaptable to different climates and conditions than many snails, and is found in woods, fields, sand dunes, and gardens. This adaptability not only increases H. aspersa's range, but it also makes farming H. aspersa easier and less risky.
