Heath Snail

Heath Snail - Helicella itala

Description

9-25mm diameter with a low spire. Generally pale but usually with dark spiral bands. It has a large umbilicus that is free from the mouth lip.

Similar Species

Cernuella virgata is found in similar habitats and also has dark spiral bands - but this species is much more globular and the mouth lip partly obscures the umbilicus.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • medium size (9-25mm) diameter
  • flat with only a shallow spire
  • a deep umbilicus not touched by the mouth lip
  • calcareous habitat (short, dry grassland)
Recording advice

A photo is needed of both the upper shell and also the underside showing the umbilicus.

Habitat

Prefers short, dry calcareous grassland. In coastal areas it is also found on dunes.

When to see it

All year

UK Status

Widespread but increasingly uncommon inland.

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records