River Snail - Viviparus viviparus

This species will attain a maximum height of 40 mm, with 5 or 6 whorls. The shell is yellow-green with three distinct brown spiral stripes (that follow the direction of the whorls). The shell is opaque and slightly glossy and has an operculum. The umbilicus (navel) is inconspicuous, occurring only as a groove or notch.

Viviparus contectus is very similar but has a sharp apex to the shell, whereas in V. viviparus it is blunt.

In slowly moving waters, lowland rivers, canals and around the shores of lakes, on muddy substrate, usually not in small isolated standing waters. Requires high oxygen contents.

All year round.

Widespread in England, but fewer records from elsewhere in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.