Snail 1

Have you noticed how often small terrestrial snails can be found clinging to the tall stems of hogweed? These are usually Banded or Brown-lipped snails with yellow shells and distinct markings. This one, I am not so sure which species. There are so many Helicidae to choose from in Britain. It could be a Banded or a Brown-lipped snail (Cepaea nemoralis or Cepaea hortensis). Their shell makings are varied and include forms with no dark markings at all or interrupted bands. What is remarkable in this individual is that the shell is see-through and the flesh inside is clearly visible – the folded lobes the digestive gland. What lovely creatures these are. I like to watch them extrude their reticulated body and inch upwards on the stalk, with tentacles extended, black dots for eyes on the end. I have previously only noticed translucent shells like this on semi-aquatic species of snail living on the marginal vegetation of the pond in the CD Nature Reserve.

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