Kentish Snail

Monacha cantiana

This record describes Monacha cantiana (species). Recorded family: Hygromiidae. Recorded order: Pulmonata.

Identification and Appearance

Up to 16 mm. The shell is brown with creamy white mottling and often a pale spiral band around its circumference. The snail itself has a pale brown body with darker skirting and even darker tentacles. Young specimens have hairy shells but these tend to get rubbed off over time. Unless identified by a recognised expert, please attach a photo or describe how you identified this species. Field and woodland borders, hedgerows, gardens. This is an introduced species which is now fairly frequent and well distributed throughout most of England, but fewer records from Wales and Scotland.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Order: Pulmonata
Family: Hygromiidae
Genus: Monacha

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Field and woodland borders, hedgerows, gardens.

Seasonal Activity

All year round.

Additional species information

Recorded status

This is an introduced species which is now fairly frequent and well distributed throughout most of England, but fewer records from Wales and Scotland.

About Pulmonata: the wider group

Order-level background for Pulmonata, the group containing Monacha cantiana. 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.

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