Roman or Burgundy Snail Helix pomatia

The Roman or Burgundy Snail is native to much of Europe. It has a warm brown or yellowish shell reaching 1-2 inches in diameter (25-50mm) and a light-coloured body.

It is the main snail eaten as "escargot" in France (although others, including the Common Garden Snail, Helix aspersa are also eaten). The young eat mainly nettles but adults eat a range of mainly plant material. Like many snails, it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. It can live for over 20 years. It prefers chalk soils, not only for its shell growth but also since it seals itself in its shell with a calciferous membrance in times of especially dry or cold weather.