Common Whorl Snail
Vertigo pygmaea
This record describes Vertigo pygmaea (species). Recorded family: Vertiginidae. Recorded order: Pulmonata.
Identification and Appearance
This is a very small species the shell being about 2 mm in length. It is mid brown in colour with 4 to 7 fairly prominent teeth. The shell surface is dull to slightly glossy and often quite silky in appearance. Typically there is a bulge in the shell behind the mouth lip. Found in damp pastures and at the margins of wetlands at low altitude. Widespread and fairly frequent over much of Britain. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Order
- Pulmonata
- Family
- Vertiginidae
- Genus
- Vertigo
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in damp pastures and at the margins of wetlands at low altitude.
Seasonal Activity
All year round.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent over much of Britain.
About Pulmonata: the wider group
Order-level background for Pulmonata, the group containing Vertigo pygmaea. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Pulmonata includes terrestrial and freshwater snails and slugs with ~30,000 described species. The giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica) can reach 20cm and is one of the most invasive species globally.
Ecological role of the group
Terrestrial gastropods are important decomposers and calcium recyclers in forest ecosystems. They are also critical food sources for birds, hedgehogs, and beetles. Many species are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Slugs and snails cause billions in crop damage worldwide. The global molluscicide market was valued at $800 million in 2023. Conversely, edible snails (escargot) support a global industry worth over $4 billion annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, agricultural pest management, gastropod research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Whorl Snail (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Whorl Snail
What is Common Whorl Snail?
Common Whorl Snail (Vertigo pygmaea) is a species in the family Vertiginidae, within the order Pulmonata.
Where is Common Whorl Snail found?
Habitat: Found in damp pastures and at the margins of wetlands at low altitude.
When is Common Whorl Snail active?
Common Whorl Snail: seasonal activity - All year round..