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• Cochlicella (Cochlicella) acuta (O. F. Müller 1774) Pointed snail

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© Dr Roy Anderson

© Dr Roy Anderson

A very tall, conical shell of 8-10 whorls. Whorls are convex with moderate sutures. Surface whitish or yellow-brown, with coarse, irregular growth ridges and marked by dark brown spiral bands and blotches which are often broken up to create radial stripes. On coastal sands or well-drained limestone pastures inland.

Key characteristics

• Shell a tall, evenly developed cone of 8-10 whorls
• Has moderately convex whorls and moderately deep sutures - compare Cochlicella barbara (which is in Britain) with flatter whorls and shallower sutures
• Surface whitish or yellow-brown, with coarse, irregular growth ridges and marked by dark brown spiral bands and blotches which are often broken up to create radial stripes
• Mouth taller than broad, without an internal rib
• Forms which occur on western islands are squatter and smaller, and approach C. barbara in shape and size

Size

10-18 mm.

World Distribution

Distributed from the British Isles along coasts to the Mediterranean and east to Turkey but is a probable introduction in large parts of its range. Distribution type: Mediterranean-Atlantic (91).

GBIF distribution map [open in new tab]

Irish Distribution

This snail may have entered the British Isles in the late prehistoric period (Kerney, 1999) but for present purposes is regarded as a native. Inland it is scattered across the south central plain of Ireland and is common everywhere on the coast.

Ecology

• Very widespread in the loose sand or sparsely vegetated areas of coastal dunes
• Inland in limestone quarries and dry pastures in the southern half of the island

Red List status

• Least concern (lc).

Wikipedia link

Wikipedia page for Cochlicella acuta