Copse Snail

Copse Snail - Arianta arbustorum

Description

Size up to 19 mm. The shell is brown and mottled with a thin dark brown spiral band around the circumference. The body is dark, almost black. The aperture is 'C' shaped and umbilicus is a small crescent-shaped slit.

Designation

Indicator Species - Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Similar Species

Both Cepaea species are of similar size but these lack the mottling and have an aperture that is more 'D' shaped.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • medium size
  • mottled/speckled brown
  • thin brown spiral band
  • C shaped aperture
  • slit shaped umbilicus
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Both open and well wooded areas.

Life History

Feeds on various plant species. While most slugs and snails in the UK only live for 1 or 2 years, research has shown Arianta arbustorum (Copse Snail) can live for up to 17 years.

UK Status

Common and widespread throughout Britain.

VC55 Status

Uncommon 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