Short-toothed Herald Snail - Carychium minimum

At just 1.5mm in height, this tiny snail is easily over-looked. The adult shell has just four whorls in a conical shape, with the lowest whorl being the broadest. It is very pale in colour. The mouth has a thickened lip and there are three internal teeth, though not all are immediately obvious. Faint radial ribs may be seen under magnification.

Carychium tridentatum is similar but has 5 whorls and it generally taller and slimmer. The radial ribs are more prominent. Though a woodland species, living in leaf litter, the two species can be found together in damp woodland.

A quality image is required showing the shell profile including the mouth. A specimen may need to be checked by the County Recorder.

Found in wetlands and damp woodland, usually on vegetation at the edge of water.

All year but most likely found in Spring and Summer.

Common and widespread.

Rare or more likely to be under-recorded. The record in May 2023 was the first since 1989.