Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Gastropoda

Sub-order: Pulmonata

Family: Helicidae

Genus: Cornu

Species: aspersum

Not native to Australia

Maximum size 3-4cm.
Widely distributed throughout Australia.
Typically found in suburban gardens.

The European Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum) species is a very common garden and agricultural pest originally from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, but now a widespread invader throughout the world. In Australia, it occurs in many temperate regions, but also in tropical areas where there has been significant alteration of microclimate by human activity – e.g. watering of gardens. The shell, which can reach a diameter of 40 mm, is brown with darker spiral bands, yellow speckles and a flame-like pattern. Individuals can been found living under pots, rocks and timber in gardens, parks, nurseries and on agricultural land. The animal is a light greenish brown colour with a pale stripe on the back of its neck and a greenish grey foot. [The European Garden Snail now classified as Cornu aspersum has previously been known as Cantareus aspersus and Helix aspersa.]

This unwanted alien occurs throughout most of southern and eastern Australia and northwards to the Atherton Tablelands in north-eastern Queensland.