Ecologist - Writer - Photographer
Hibernating garden snails

Garden snails hibernating on tree. Note the hole in one shell; this damage was likely caused by a bird pecking the shell. For a simple common garden snail, this species has caused a lot of heated taxonomic controversy and disagreement; originally classified as Helix aspersa, now many taxonomists prefer Cornu aspersum, but others Cantareus aspersus or Cryptomphalus aspersus. Who says taxonomy is boring...?

Location: Aberlady, East Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Photographer: Jason Gilchrist

Hibernating garden snails

Garden snails hibernating on tree. Note the hole in one shell; this damage was likely caused by a bird pecking the shell. For a simple common garden snail, this species has caused a lot of heated taxonomic controversy and disagreement; originally classified as Helix aspersa, now many taxonomists prefer Cornu aspersum, but others Cantareus aspersus or Cryptomphalus aspersus. Who says taxonomy is boring...?

Location: Aberlady, East Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom

Photographer: Jason Gilchrist