How to Identify Helicidae

Helicidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Stylommatophora, class Gastropoda. The family contains 42 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Helicidae Species

How to identify Helix albescens Rossmässler, 1839

Helix albescens Rossmässler, 1839

Helix albescens Rossmässler, 1839

Helix albescens is a small land snail species found in Eastern Europe and the Ca…

How to identify Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758

Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758

Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758

Helix pomatia, the common Roman snail, is a land snail used for culinary purpose…

How to identify Cepaea hortensis (O.F.Müller, 1774)

Cepaea hortensis (O.F.Müller, 1774)

Cepaea hortensis (O.F.Müller, 1774)

Cepaea hortensis is a polymorphic land snail native mainly to Europe with a rang…

How to identify Helicigona lapicida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Helicigona lapicida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Helicigona lapicida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Helicigona lapicida is a European species that selectively feeds on certain rock…

How to identify Macularia sylvatica (Draparnaud, 1801)

Macularia sylvatica (Draparnaud, 1801)

Macularia sylvatica (Draparnaud, 1801)

Macularia sylvatica is a west-Alpine land snail species that lives in cold, wet …

How to identify Helix thessalica O.Boettger, 1886

Helix thessalica O.Boettger, 1886

Helix thessalica O.Boettger, 1886

Helix thessalica is a large European air-breathing land snail long mistaken for …

How to identify Otala lactea (O.F.Müller, 1774)

Otala lactea (O.F.Müller, 1774)

Otala lactea (O.F.Müller, 1774)

Otala lactea, the milk or Spanish snail, is a large edible Mediterranean land sn…

How to identify Helix straminea Briganti, 1825

Helix straminea Briganti, 1825

Helix straminea Briganti, 1825

Helix straminea Briganti, 1825 is a large air-breathing land snail native to thr…

How to identify Helix nucula Mousson, 1854

Helix nucula Mousson, 1854

Helix nucula Mousson, 1854

Helix nucula Mousson, 1854 is an air-breathing land snail in the family Helicida…

How to identify Faustina faustina (Rossmässler, 1835)

Faustina faustina (Rossmässler, 1835)

Faustina faustina (Rossmässler, 1835)

Faustina faustina is a medium-sized air-breathing land snail found in seven cent…

How to identify Helix figulina Rossmässler, 1839

Helix figulina Rossmässler, 1839

Helix figulina Rossmässler, 1839

Helix figulina Rossmässler, 1839 is a soil-dwelling land snail native to parts o…

How to identify Helix melanostoma Draparnaud, 1801

Helix melanostoma Draparnaud, 1801

Helix melanostoma Draparnaud, 1801

Helix melanostoma is an air-breathing land snail species found in Algeria, Tunis…

Browse all 42 Helicidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Helicidae?

Helicidae animals belong to the Stylommatophora order in the Animalia kingdom. The shell typically has five reddish-brown bands, and the second and third bands in particular may partially fuse together. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Helicidae?

Helicidae is classified in the order Stylommatophora, class Gastropoda, phylum Mollusca. The soft body of the snail is yellow, and usually has a dark brown back.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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