Animal Profiles
Molluscs

Snail

Gastropoda

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Snails occupy many environments. This account follows the garden snail (Cornu aspersum), an introduced inhabitant of Australian gardens originating from Europe.

Cornu aspersum, the representative described in this account.

Cornu aspersum, the representative described in this account.

Missvain · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Garden snails occur in urban gardens and suburbs, often closely associated with people.
Habitat
Towns and cities
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Vegetation supplies much of the diet.

Classification

Common name
Snail
Browse group
Molluscs
Scientific name or taxon
Gastropoda
Taxon rank
class
Source classification
Gastropoda

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It carries a coiled shell.
  • The head has two tentacle pairs.
  • Human transport has spread it widely.

Habitat and range

Garden snails occur in urban gardens and suburbs, often closely associated with people. The Australian Museum account describes their introduction from Europe and their widespread occurrence around cities.

Appearance and adaptations

A coiled shell protects the soft body. Two pairs of head tentacles explore the surroundings, and a broad muscular foot produces gliding movement.

Diet and behaviour

Vegetation supplies much of the diet. Damp conditions favour movement, while the shell and sheltered resting places help reduce water loss when the animal is inactive.

Sources

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