Fauna
Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2294279

White-lipped Snail

Cepaea hortensis

Also known as Garden Banded Snail, White-lipped Banded Snail

White-lipped snails exhibit extreme shell polymorphism, displaying shell colors from bright yellow to warm brown with variable dark spiral bands. They spend their days grazing on algae, lichens, and decaying organic matter across diverse temperate landscapes. During courtship, these simultaneous hermaphrodites dart each other with calcium structures before transferring sperm to ensure reproductive success.

PolymorphicHermaphroditeMollusk
White-lipped Snail reference1 / 7
Licensed reference"White-lipped snail" by hedera.baltica is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Algae
  • Decaying Leaves
  • Fungi
Predators
  • Song Thrush
  • Hedgehogs
  • Ground Beetles
ThreatsPesticide application, habitat destruction, and vehicle mortality
HabitatsGardens, hedgerows, woodlands, and coastal dunes
Life span3–5 years
Classification
  1. OrderStylommatophora
  2. FamilyHelicidae
  3. GenusCepaea
  4. SpeciesCepaea hortensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Examine the aperture: Look for the distinct white rim along the shell opening to confirm identification.
  • Search after rain: Spot them active during damp mornings, humid days, or immediately following rainfall.
Related species
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