Prickly Snail - Acanthinula aculeata

Though tiny (around 2mm), this snail is distinctive with regular spines along the centre of each whorl and ribs radiating from each spine. Whilst the spines can wear off the ribs remain. It also has a circular mouth.

The spines tend to collect soil and organic debris making this snail harder to detect.

Typically found in woodland and hedgerow leaf-litter but also under stones and logs.

All year.

Widespread

Rare though possibly under-recorded.

There is only one recent (post 2000) record for this species and only a handful in each of the three decades prior to this. These historic records were made on a wide range of sites, including: Sheet Hedges Wood, Prior's Coppice, Dimminsdale, Stonesby Quarry and the Ashby Canal at Shackerstone.