Glossy Glass Snail - Oxychilus navarricus

A medium-sized (8 to 10 mm) glossy brown snail with a slightly raised spire, 5 flattened whorls and with sutures slightly deeper than those of O. cellarius. The body is blue-grey with jet-black mantle edge - that can be seen as a dark band at the front edge of the shell. Sometimes emits a faint garlic smell when disturbed but not as strongly as the smaller Garlic Snail.

O. alliarius (Garlic Snail) is smaller: 6-8mm but also has a slightly raised spire.

O. cellarius can be a little larger but overlaps in size, however it is very flat and lacks the slightly raised spire and the black mantle.

Aegopinella nitidula is a similar size and shape. This is more expanded whorls and has striations on the shell. See ID aids.

• the black mantle is visible through the transparent shell as a dark band just above the mouth
• glossy brown
• a slightly raised spire

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. An image should show the black mantle and in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Associated with woodland but also rubbish strewn sites on roadsides and in quarries, occasionally in gardens.

All year round.

Widespread but not especially common in much of England, and Wales, but its numbers seem to be increasing of late.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland, but probably increasing.