The Roman Snail (Helix pomatia), also called the Burgundy or escargot snail, is a large, edible land snail native to Central and Western Europe. Its shell is creamy white to light brown, with three to five darker spiral bands, reaching about 30–50 mm in width and 30–45 mm in height.

Location:
Native across temperate Europe—from France, Germany, and the Balkans to southern England. Prefers calcareous soils in forests, vineyards, hedgerows, and scrublands. Introduced in parts of North America and elsewhere.

Average Size:
Shell width 30–50 mm; height 30–45 mm.

Family:
Helicidae (Typical land snails)

Species:
Helix pomatia

Ecological Role:
A herbivore and decomposer, feeding on leaves, fruits, flowers, and decaying plant matter. Contributes to nutrient cycling and serves as a food source for various predators.

Movement and Sensory Features:
Moves via a muscular foot that secretes mucus to glide with low friction. Has two pairs of tentacles: the upper pair carry simple eyes for light detection, and the lower pair have chemoreceptors to sense smells and tastes.

Reproduction:
Simultaneous hermaphrodite, typically cross-fertilising. Breeding season lasts from late May to July, during which eggs are laid (about 40–65 per clutch) in shallow underground chambers and hatch after three to four weeks.

Conservation Status:
Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Protected in several countries (e.g., under the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act) due to habitat loss and over-collecting.

Collection Date:
Collected in Holland on 11/07/1909.