White-lipped snail (Cepaea hortensis)
Described is a solitary wild snail progressing across garden paving stones following uprooting of unwanted plants in a garden bed. This non-threatened species has a shell height (15-16 mm), width (16-22 mm). It possesses a glossy, smooth shell, which has five variable spiral dark bands and a white lip around the shell opening. The body of the snail is usually greenish-grey becoming yellow towards the rear. This snail lives in a range of densely-vegetated habitats, including waste ground, woodland, hedgerows and grassland. In dry conditions it is observed tightly attached to rocks, tree trunks or fences. The preferred food plants of this snail include Nettles, Ragwort and Hogweed. Although these snails posses both male and female organs, and are capable of self reproduction, they usually mate with another snail between spring and autumn. Courtship begins with a snail piercing the skin of its partner with a 'love dart' made of calcium carbonate. Once this ritual has taken place mating can begin. The snails then part ways and both partners lay their eggs buried in soil. A clutch is often in excess of 100 eggs takin ca. 1 month to hatch. Juvenile snails develop a soft shell which hardens and grows with them as they mature. The white-lipped snail is not currently considered under threat.
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