White Italian Snail

Overview

The White Italian Snail (Theba pisana) is a terrestrial, air-breathing land snail native to the Mediterranean region. While it is a well-known agricultural pest in many parts of the world, it is also traditionally gathered as a food source in some areas of its native range.

Appearance

This snail features a globular, medium-sized shell that typically measures between 12 and 25 mm in diameter. The shell is generally creamy white or pale yellow-brown, often decorated with a variable pattern of dark brown spiral bands, lines, or spots. It possesses 5.5 to 6 whorls with a low spire and a narrow umbilicus.

Distribution & habitat

Although native to the Mediterranean basin and adjacent Atlantic coasts, this species has been widely introduced to regions including the British Isles, South Africa, Australia, and parts of North America. It shows a strong preference for coastal environments, such as sand dunes and disturbed areas near the sea, but can also inhabit inland riverbanks and anthropogenic landscapes like gardens and orchards.

Biology & behavior

Theba pisana is known for its ability to aestivate, a survival strategy where it remains inactive during hot, dry periods. To reduce water loss, individuals aggregate in large numbers on elevated surfaces—such as plant stems, fences, or poles—and seal their shell aperture with a dried mucus layer called an epiphragm. They are primarily nocturnal and feed on a wide variety of organic matter, including decaying vegetation and living agricultural crops.