Brown-lipped snail

The brown-lipped snail (Cepaea nemoralis), also known as grove snail or wood snail, is one of the most common species of land snail in Europe. It was first introduced to North America in the mid-1800s, both intentionally and accidentally. In fact, one scientific article I came across called them “invited invaders”. They are now relatively common in the northeastern United States and around the Great Lakes into Canada. Brown-lipped snails come in many color forms, ranging from reddish to yellowish…

Common Slipper Shells (Crepidula fornicata)

May 6, 2019 Elise

On most of the beaches I frequent, Common Slipper Shells (Crepidula fornicata) are by far and away the most common seashell I encounter. Each shell is an oval, approximately an inch to an inch and a half long. But on some beaches, particular those along Buzzards Bay, these relatively small shells can be so numerous as to form significant mounds covering entire areas of the beach. Although usually referred to as slipper “shells”, while the animal is still alive I…

Common periwinkle (Littorina littorea)

March 25, 2018 Elise

It’s hard to take a trip to a rocky coastline in New England without noticing hundreds of common periwinkles (Littorina littorea). Despite the name “common”, these gastropods are not actually native to New England. They were introduced in the mid-19th century, likely through ballast water in ships from Europe (its native range). Since then, the common periwinkle has become well established in eastern North America and is now the most common marine snail along our coastline. Although most abundant on…

Seashore to Forest Floor

A naturalist's journey across Cape Cod and beyond

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Tag: snail