Garden snail, caracol común de jardín

Description:

It is a species of land snail, a pulmonate gastropod that is one of the best-known of all terrestrial molluscs. The adult bears a hard, thin calcareous shell 25–40 mm in diameter and 25–35 mm high, with four or five whorls. The shell is somewhat variable in color and shade but is generally dark brown or chestnut with yellow stripes, flecks, or streaks. The body is soft and slimy, brownish-grey, and is retracted entirely into the shell when the animal is inactive or threatened. During dry and cold weather, the aperture of the shell is sealed with a thin membrane of dried mucus which is known as an epiphragm, which helps the snail retain moisture. During times of activity the head and foot emerge. The head bears four tentacles, the upper two of which have eye-like light sensors, and the lower two of which are smaller, tactile and olfactory sensory structures. The tentacles can be retracted into the head. The mouth is located beneath the tentacles, and contains a chitinous radula which the snail uses to scrape and manipulate food particles.

Habitat:

Spotted on a stone wall.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.; f/5.6; ISO Speed Rating: 400. Focal Length: 90.0 mm. Flash fired