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Roman Snail Helix pomatia |
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Helicidae | Notes | Wanstead Park, 06 May 2024
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A surprise find, at the edge of the track between Wanstead Park and the old sewage works, just before the Roding bridge. I was listening to a Nightingale at the time (another unusual creature in these parts), and it was at my feet. They are are the largest snail found in Britain, and are more often associated with chalky areas, which this isn't. It is often said that Roman Snails were introduced into Britain by the Romans for food, which may be true, but there is subfossil evidence that they were present before the Romans arrived. The Essex Field Club has only four records of the species, between 2008 and 2019, and none in SW Essex. |