Cepaea nemoralis, Brown-Lipped Banded Snail

Common Name: Brown-Lipped Banded Snail

Cepaea nemoralis, more commonly known as the Brown-Lipped Banded Snail, is a common terrestrial snail in the UK. Aside from the dark brown banding around the opening of its shell, the colour of the shell can vary greatly between snails, from very light to very dark. This polymorphism is thought to be help camouflage it.

They like to live in a variety of habitats including grassland, hedgerows, woodland, sea cliffs and gardens. They prefer areas with plenty of moisture such as within thick undergrowth or in damp, dark soil, however in moist weather they will come out and climb up plants and trees, making them easier to spot.

Brown-lipped snails are hermaphrodites, so have organs of both sexes. However, they need to mate in order for each snail to fertilise their own eggs. They then bury their eggs in soil.

They are quite common throughout most of Britain, with the exception of the far north of Scotland.

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