Roman Snail

Helix pomatia

The escargot of couriers. Your message arrives with continental sophistication... eventually.

Population: No global numeric population estimate exists; the IUCN 2025 global assessment lists the overall population trend as stable, though local declines occur from habitat loss and over-collection for human consumption
Habitat: Deciduous forests, scrub, hedgerows, grassland, and vineyards/gardens on calcium-rich (calcareous/limestone) soils; also found in synanthropic/urban green spaces; ranges up to roughly 1,800-2,100 m elevation in the Alps
Fun fact: The Roman snail seals its shell opening with a hardened, calcium-rich mucus disc called an epiphragm to survive hibernation and dry periods (estivation), sometimes remaining dormant for extended stretches.
Range: Native to central and southeastern Europe (extending east to Ukraine/Moldova); current distribution spans from western Russia across Britain, Scandinavia, and Spain; introduced/naturalized populations established in North America and elsewhere via human transport
Diet: Herbivorous — grazes on leaves, fruits, flowers, plant sap, and decaying vegetation, with a marked preference for stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), especially in juveniles; requires calcium-rich food sources for shell growth
Size: 0.045 m
Lifespan: 20 years

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