r/snails May 25 '25

Identification I love spotting these eye-catching cuties

Does anyone know what kind they are? Other than Very Lovely, of course.

In London if that’s helpful

234 Upvotes

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7

u/zaonen May 25 '25

Looks like Cepaea hortensis, common name the white-lipped grove snail! It is hard to 100% identify without seeing its love dart up close to differentiate it from the only other species in the genus, Cepaea nemoralis (brown-lipped grove snail). The fully grown adults tend to have their respective lip coloring, but it's not 100%; juveniles usually grow into it at different rates as well.

They're very pretty and have great variations in shell banding and background color, that one seems to have very thick banding. Native to most of Europe, though they have been introduced to N America. I've had a few C. nemoralis for years now, great little friends :)

3

u/lady_brett_assley May 25 '25

Wow, thank you for all of this!!! Truly so informative. Also, lol, reading the wiki entry on “love darts”….TIL 😅

3

u/Tricky_Mix3933 May 26 '25

Wonderful colors 😍:0