Credit: Georgette Douwma / naturepl.com
Where do white-lipped snails live?
The white-lipped snail is found year round in warm, damp conditions in woods, grasslands and hedges all over the country.
White-lipped snail (Cepea hortensis)
These slimy damp-lovers are a familiar sight, but there’s more than meets the eye to the white-lipped snail. Look out for them munching their way through woodland, grassland and gardens.
Quick facts
Common name(s): white-lipped snail, white-lipped garden snail
Scientific name: Cepea hortensis
Family: Helicidae
Habitat: grassland, woodland edges, gardens
Predators: birds, amphibians
Origin: native
What do white-lipped snails look like?
The white-lipped snail's shell is smooth and shiny, with several spirals of varying sizes. It ranges in colour from yellow to pink, brown or red, and has a white band around the opening. Its body is dull grey, usually becoming yellow towards the rear.
Length: 1.6-2.2cm
Not to be confused with: the brown-lipped snail which, though very similar, has a brown lip to its shell rather than white.
What do white-lipped snails eat?
These snails enjoy a diet of ragwort, nettles and hogweed.
Did you know?
In some parts of the world, snail eggs are eaten as 'snail caviar' or 'white caviar'.
How do white-lipped snails breed?
White-lipped snails have both male and female reproductive organs, and are able to self-fertilise. However, they need to mate for this to happen.
The breeding season takes place from spring to 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.
One clutch is usually over 100 eggs strong and takes around a month to hatch. Juvenile snails have a soft shell which hardens and grows with them as they mature.
Signs and spotting tips
Look out for the white-lipped snails after rain in damp places. You can find them in woodland, grassland and even your garden. They are widespread and common, but you've got an even better chance of spotting them on the Scottish coast.
Threats and conservation
The white-lipped snail is not currently considered under threat.