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Helix pomatia facts for kids

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Helix pomatia
Helix pomatia 89a.jpg
Conservation status
NE
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Pulmonata
Family:
Genus:
Binomial name
Helix pomatia
Helix pomatia MHNT.ZOO.2002.0.33
Shell of Helix pomatia

Helix pomatia is the edible snail, also known as the 'Burgundy' or 'Roman' snail. It is a species of large, edible, air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial gastropod in the family Helicidae. It is cooked and eaten as an escargot.

Description

Helix pomatia MHNT.ZOO.2002.0.33
View of a shell of Helix pomatia
Vinbergssnäcka lägger ägg
Helix pomatia (the larger snail) laying eggs)

The shell is creamy white to light brownish, often with indistinct brown colour bands. The shell has five to six whorls. The aperture is large. The apertural margin is white and slightly reflected in adult snails. The umbilicus is narrow and partly covered by the reflected columellar margin.

The width of the shell is 30–50 mm. The height of the shell is 30–45 mm.

Ecology

Habitat

In southeastern Europe, H. pomatia lives in forests, open habitats, gardens, vineyards, especially along rivers, confined to calcareous substrate. In central Europe, it occurs in open forests and shrubland on calcareous substrate. It prefers high humidity and lower temperatures, and needs loose soil for burrowing to hibernate and lay its eggs. It lives up to 2100 m above sea level in the Alps, but usually below 2000 m. In the south of England, it is restricted to undisturbed grassy or bushy wastelands, usually not in gardens; it has a low reproduction rate and low powers of dispersal.

Life cycle

Average distance of migration reaches 3.5–6.0 m.

This snail is hermaphroditic. Reproduction in central Europe begins at the end of May.

Eggs are laid in June and July, in clutches of 40–65 eggs. The size of the egg is 5.5–6.5 mm or 8.6 × 7.2 mm. Juveniles hatch after three to four weeks, and may consume their siblings under unfavourable climate conditions. Maturity is reached after two to five years. The life span is up to 20 years. Ten-year-old individuals are probably not uncommon in natural populations. The maximum lifespan is 35 years.

During estivation or hibernation, this species creates a calcareous epiphragm to seal the opening of the shell.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Helix pomatia para niños

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