🐌 White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)

Here are the answers to the questions about the White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis):

1. What distinguishing feature sets the White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis) apart from other snails in its genus?
   • The White-lipped Snail has a distinct white lip (aperture edge) around its shell opening, which differentiates it from similar species like Cepaea nemoralis that usually have a brown or dark lip.
2. In which habitats is the White-lipped Snail commonly found?
   • It is commonly found in woodlands, grasslands, hedgerows, gardens, and sometimes in urban areas with enough vegetation.
3. How does the shell coloration of Cepaea hortensis help it survive in its environment?
   • The variable shell coloration and banding provide camouflage against predators by blending in with leaf litter and vegetation.
4. What is the diet of the White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)?
   • It primarily feeds on dead plant material, fungi, and sometimes fresh vegetation and algae.
5. Describe the geographic range where Cepaea hortensis is typically located.
   • It is native to Europe and is found mainly in northern and western parts, including the British Isles and parts of Scandinavia.
6. How does the White-lipped Snail contribute to the ecosystem?
   • By feeding on decaying plant matter and fungi, it helps in nutrient recycling and soil health.
7. What adaptations does Cepaea hortensis have to avoid predators?
   • Besides camouflage through shell color, it can retract into its shell and seal the opening with a mucus layer to protect itself.
8. How can you distinguish between Cepaea hortensis and the closely related Cepaea nemoralis?
   • Cepaea hortensis has a white lip around the shell opening, while Cepaea nemoralis has a brown or dark lip. Also, Cepaea hortensis tends to have a slightly smaller and paler shell.

Ah, the White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)! Here’s a quick rundown about this charming little gastropod:

🐌 White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)

Scientific name: Cepaea hortensis

Identification:

• Medium-sized land snail.
• Shell usually pale yellow or light brown.
• Distinctive white lip around the shell’s opening, which helps distinguish it from close relatives like the Brown-lipped Snail (Cepaea nemoralis).
• Shell typically has 4-5 dark brown bands running spirally.

Habitat:

• Found in gardens, hedgerows, woodland edges, and grassy areas.
• Prefers moist, temperate climates, common across much of Europe.

Behavior:

• Active mainly during damp conditions, especially after rain.
• Feeds on a variety of plants and decaying vegetation.

Interesting fact:

• The white lip is more noticeable in mature snails, and it serves as a key characteristic for species identification.
• Both Cepaea hortensis and Cepaea nemoralis show fascinating polymorphism — their shell colors and band patterns vary widely within populations, which has been a subject of evolutionary and genetic studies.

Would you like me to dig deeper into its ecology, behavior, or perhaps something else?