Helix aspersa
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2008-06-28T07:37:49Z
Hankwang
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mentioning hi-res in the caption is not wikipedia policy. 6 megapixel iimages are quite common.
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Helix aspersa''
| image = Common snail.jpg
| image_width = 270px
| status = NE
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Mollusca]]
| classis = [[Gastropoda]]
| subclassis = [[Orthogastropoda]]
| superordo = [[Heterobranchia]]
| ordo = [[Pulmonata]]
| familia = [[Helicidae]]
| genus = ''[[Helix (genus)|Helix]]''
| species = '''''H. aspersa'''''
| binomial = ''Helix aspersa''
| binomial_authority = ([[Otto Friedrich Müller|Müller]], [[1774]])
}}
'''''Helix aspersa''''' ('''garden snail'''; syn. ''Cornu aspersum'', ''Cantareus aspersus''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weichtiere.at/english/gastropoda/terrestrial/escargot/cornu.html |title=The Cornu problem |accessdate=2007-03-05 |format=html |work=The Living World of
Mollusks}}</ref>) is one of the most well-known of all terrestrial [[Mollusca|molluscs]].
It is native to the [[Mediterranean region]] and western [[Europe]], from northwest [[Africa]] and [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberia]] east to [[Asia Minor]], and north to the [[British Isles]]. However, it is very widely introduced and [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] elsewhere in the world.<ref>Pfleger, V. & Chatfield, J. (1983). ''A guide to snails of Britain and Europe''. Hamlyn, London.</ref><ref name=arkive>Arkive: [http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/invertebrates_terrestrial_and_freshwater/Helix_aspersa/more_info.html ''Helix aspersa'']</ref>
Although this species is edible, it is often regarded as a pest in gardens, especially where it has been accidentally introduced.
==Description==
[[Image:Helix.JPG|thumb|left|350px]]
The adult bears a hard, thin [[calcium carbonate|calcareous]] shell 25–40 mm in diameter and 25–35 mm high, with four or five [[Whorl (mollusc)|whorls]]. The shell is somewhat variable in colour and shade but is generally dark brown or chestnut with yellow stripes, flecks, or streaks.
The body is soft and slimy, brownish-grey, and is retracted entirely into the shell when the animal is inactive or threatened. During dry and cold weather, the aperture of the shell is sealed with a thin membrane of dried mucus which is known as an ''[[epiphragm]]'', which helps the snail retain moisture. During times of activity the head and foot emerge. The head bears four [[tentacle]]s, the upper two of which have eyes, and the lower two of which are smaller, tactile and olfactory sensory structures. The tentacles can be retracted into the head. The mouth is located beneath the tentacles, and contains a [[chitin]]ous [[radula]] which the snail uses to scrape and manipulate food particles.
==Behavior==
[[Image:Buddy_the_Snail.jpg|right|thumb|280px|''Helix aspersa feeding in captivity'']]
The snail's muscular foot contracts to move the animal, and secretes [[mucus]] to facilitate locomotion by reducing friction against the substrate.<ref name=arkive/> It moves at a top speed of 1.3 centimetres per second (47 metres per hour),<ref>[http://measurement.webmasters.sk/velocity.php Velocity Measurement Units Conversion<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and has a strong homing instinct, readily returning to a regular hibernation site.<ref>Attia, J. (2004). Behavioural Rhythms of Land Snails in the Field. ''Biological Rhythm Research'' 35: 35-41. [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandf/brhm/2004/00000035/F0020001/art00004 Abstract.]</ref>
Like other [[Pulmonata]], it is a [[hermaphrodite]], producing both male and female [[gamete]]s. During a mating session of several hours, two snails exchange [[sperm]] and after a few days each will dig a nest in the soil and deposit fertilised eggs in it. The young emerge from the eggs after about two weeks, and take one to two years to reach maturity.<ref name=arkive/>
==Ecology==
[[Image:Snail1web.jpg|left|thumb|210px|''Helix aspersa'']]
The garden snail is [[herbivore|herbivorous]] and has a wide range of host plants. It damages numerous types of [[fruit tree]]s, [[vegetable]] crops, garden [[flower]]s, and [[cereal]]s.
It is a food source for many other animals, including small mammals, many bird species, lizards, frogs, centipedes, and predatory insects.
There is a variety of snail control measures that gardeners and farmers can take to reduce damage. Traditional pesticides are still in use, as are many less toxic control options such as concentrated [[garlic]] or [[Artemisia (plant)|wormwood]] solutions. [[Copper]] metal is repellent to snails. A copper band around the trunk of a tree will prevent snails from reaching the foliage and fruit.
The [[decollate snail]] (''Rumina decollata'') will capture and eat garden snails, so it is sometimes introduced as a [[biological pest control]] agent.
==Relationship with humans==
[[Image:Snail on a car processed p1120083.jpg|thumb|right|''Helix aspersa on a [[car]] in [[Santa Cruz]], [[California]]]]
The species is an agricultural and garden pest, an edible delicacy, and occasionally a household [[pet]].
In [[French cuisine]], it is known as ''petit gris'', and is served as ''[[escargot]]''. The snails are farm-raised or bred as a hobby and enjoyed with garlic butter or cream sauces. Their texture is slightly chewy. The practice of rearing snails for food is known as [[heliciculture]].
Recently, this snail has gained popularity as the chief ingredient in skin creams and gels (crema/gel de caracol) sold within the Latino community and used for wrinkles, scars, dry skin, and acne.
It has been introduced to many regions around the world, including southern [[Africa]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[North America]] and southern [[South America]].<ref>Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: [http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/gastro/brown_garden_snail.htm ''Helix aspersa'']</ref> It was introduced to [[California]] as a food animal in the 1850s and is now a notorious agricultural pest there, especially in [[citrus]] groves. Many areas have quarantines established for preventing the importation of the snail in plant matter.
==Notes==
===References===
<references />
===Sources===
* Cranshaw, Whitney. (2004). ''Garden Insects of North America''. Princeton University Press ISBN 0-691-09561-2
==External links==
{{commons|Helix aspersa}}
* [http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/gastro/brown_garden_snail.htm Florida Agriculture: ''Helix aspersa'']
* [http://www.abc.net.au/riverland/stories/s548790.htm Snail control in Australia]
* [http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/surv/data/helaspe.shtml Canada Agriculture Fact Sheet]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/415.shtml BBC Info Page]
* [http://www.pesticideinfo.org/List_AquireAll.jsp?Species=10633&Effect= Pesticides Database - Chemical Toxicity Studies]
* [http://www.petsnails.co.uk Keeping pet snails and slugs]
[[Category:Helix]]
[[Category:Edible molluscs]]
[[Category:Agricultural pests]]
[[ar:حلزون الحدائق]]
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