Plaited Door Snail
Cochlodina laminata
This record describes Cochlodina laminata (species). Recorded family: Clausiliidae. Recorded order: Pulmonata.
Identification and Appearance
Up to 18mm long with a red-brown barrel shaped but strongly tapering shell. The aperture is pear-shaped with strong parietal and columellar lamellae. The commonly found Clausilia bidentata is a similar shape but generally smaller with deeper and more prominent striations on its shell. It is generally less glossy and brown to grey in colour. The snail is often found on tree trunks where it feeds on algae and other vegetation. Usually seen ascending the trunks of smooth-boled trees after rain. Relatively common and widespread in the south of the UK.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Order
- Pulmonata
- Family
- Clausiliidae
- Genus
- Cochlodina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Old, established woodlands
Seasonal Activity
All year.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The snail is often found on tree trunks where it feeds on algae and other vegetation. Usually seen ascending the trunks of smooth-boled trees after rain.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Relatively common and widespread in the south of the UK.
About Pulmonata: the wider group
Order-level background for Pulmonata, the group containing Cochlodina laminata. 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 Plaited Door Snail (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Plaited Door Snail
What is Plaited Door Snail?
Plaited Door Snail (Cochlodina laminata) is a species in the family Clausiliidae, within the order Pulmonata.
Where is Plaited Door Snail found?
Habitat: Old, established woodlands
When is Plaited Door Snail active?
Plaited Door Snail: seasonal activity - All year..
What is the life cycle of a Plaited Door Snail?
The snail is often found on tree trunks where it feeds on algae and other vegetation. Usually seen ascending the trunks of smooth-boled trees after rain.