Cepaea

Grove snail ( Cepaea nemoralis )

The banded snails ( Cepaea ) are a genus of land snails ( gastropod ) from the family of helicid ( Helicidae ).

Features

The genus is characterized by spherical housing, usually with conspicuous brown stripes along the housing. From this harness is the name of the genus is due. However, there are also pure yellow or pink copies. The pronounced polymorphism in the housing color is interpreted as a response to the selection of predators such as the song thrush, as well as adaptation to different temperatures of their habitats.

Occurrence and life

The genus occurs in Europe and kidnapped before in North America. The animals live in meadows, forests, parks and gardens. Their activity period ranges in western and central Europe from March to October. Then they go into a hibernation that lasts about five months.

System

The genus Cepaea is in Europe through the

• Garden snail ( Cepaea hortensis ), the
• Grove snail ( Cepaea nemoralis ), the
• Rib banded snail ( Cepaea vindobonensis ) and the
• Mountain snail ( Cepaea sylvatica) represented.