Decollate snail
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2008-07-09T21:48:16Z
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{{Taxobox
| image = Rumina decollata.jpg
| name = decollate snail
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Mollusca]]
| classis = [[Gastropoda]]
| subclassis = [[Orthogastropoda]]
| superordo = [[Heterobranchia]]
| ordo = [[Pulmonata]]
| subordo = [[Eupulmonata]]
| infraordo = [[Stylommatophora]]
| superfamilia = [[Achatinoidea]]
| familia = [[Subulinidae]]
| genus = ''[[Rumina (genus)|Rumina]]''
| species = '''''R. decollata'''''
| binomial = ''Rumina decollata''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]])
}}
The '''decollate snail''' (''Rumina decollata'') is a medium-sized [[predatory]] land [[snail]], a [[species]] of [[terrestrial]] [[pulmonate]] [[gastropod]] [[mollusk]] which is native to the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] region. It has been introduced into [[North America]] and other areas as [[biological pest control|biological control]] agent against the [[brown garden snail]].
The decollate snail is a voracious predator, and feeds readily upon common garden snails and slugs and their eggs. The snail eats plant matter as well, but the damage it causes to plants is considered minor when compared with the benefit of its predation on garden snails and other pest species of snails. Unfortunately it will also consume harmless local species of land gastropods and beneficial [[annelid]]s.
The shell of the decollate snail is long and roughly cone-shaped. It grows to approximately 40 mm in length, and upon reaching mature size, grinds or chips off the end of its own shell by moving its body roughly against hard surfaces, so that the shell takes on a ''decollate'' shape, tapering to a blunt end.
Decollate snails are tolerant of dry and cold conditions, during which they burrow deep into the soil. They are most active during the night and during rainfall.
==External links==
*[http://www.associatesinsectary.com/rumina_decollata.htm A photo of decollates feeding on ''Helix'']<br>
*[http://goodsnails.com/ Mary's Goodsnails] information and source of snails.
*[http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/gastro/snail_eating_snails.htm University of Florida] page on carnivorous snails.
[[Image:Hillazon.jpg|thumb|left|190px|A decollate snail found in Israel]]
[[Category:Subulinidae]]
[[de:Stumpfschnecke]]
[[fr:Bulime tronqué]]