Nautilus Ramshorn

Nautilus Ramshorn - Gyraulus crista

Alternative names
Nautilis Trumpet-Snail
Description

2-3.5mm. This small ramshorn snail is often overlooked due to its small size. It has rapidly expanding whorls and and oval mouth aperture. The shell can have strong, curved radial ridges but these are variable so not always very obvious. From the underside, the mouth is slanted back. Though the shell is a light brown, it is often covered in a deposit that makes it very dark.

Similar Species

Menetus dilatus has a more rounded mouth which is less slanted back.

Valvata crista has a mouth that is perfectly round.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Good images of both sides and a note of its size.

Habitat

Slow rivers, canals, lakes, ponds and weedy ditches.

When to see it

All year.

UK Status

Common and widespread.

VC55 Status

Uncommon or under-recorded.

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

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records