About Helix figulina Rossmässler, 1839
This species, Helix figulina Rossmässler, 1839, produces shells that are dirty white to yellow-brownish in color. Most shells measure 21-27 by 20-26 mm; unusually large shells reach approximately 29-31 by 29-30 mm. This land snail species occurs in Greece, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. It may no longer exist on the Aegean Sea island of Skyros, where only empty shells of the species have been found, indicating a likely recent local extinction. While there have been reports of this species from western Turkey, these records are now understood to actually refer to the related, similar species Helix nucula. Helix figulina inhabits a variety of habitats, including dry open shrubland. It occurs from coastal dunes up to 700 m above sea level, and reaches up to 700 m altitude in southwest Bulgaria specifically. As a soil-dwelling species, it only lives in continental areas with sufficient soil, and will sometimes bury deep into the soil.
