Snails (LBAP species)

Taxonomic information

Common Names: Mountain whorl snail, Wall whorl snail

Latin Names: Vertigo alpestris, Vertigo pusilla

Family: Vertiginidae

Description

Both of these snails are very small (approximately 2mm long), cylindrically shaped, whorl snails. They can be distinguised from each other because the direction of the spiral of the shell is clockwise for one species and anti-clockwise for the other species. The mountain whorl snail is found on rock, scree, old drystone walls and lightly wooded rocky areas. Although the key area for this species is in Cumbria there are important populations found in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and other areas of north east England, North Wales and Scotland.

Although the wall whorl snail is a more widespread species it is still uncommon with important populations present in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This species is found in leaf litter on shaded areas of rock and drystone walls.

Survey work is currently being undertaken to determine the distribution and status of both these species in the Yorkshire Dales National Park as part of the Local Species Action Plan. As both species are primarily found on drystone walls, this work will enable conservation bodies to target sympathetic wall restoration techniques to safeguard sites where these two species of whorl snail are found.