Land Snails

Photo(s): Neohelix dentifera live and shell © Ken Hotopp.
Illustrations © Kathy Schmidt from her series "Land Snails of New York State."

Click photo(s) to enlarge.

Neohelix dentifera (A. Binney, 1837)

Family: Polygyridae
Common name: Big-tooth Whitelip

Identification
Width: 20-28 mm
Height: 11-17 mm
Whorls: 5+

This large heliciform snail is somewhat flattened. It has a widely reflected lip with a callus that also covers its umbilicus, and a single parietal tooth. It is more flattened than Neohelix albolabris, and often more brown-colored. It, too, has a shell finely textured with radial ridges and grooves. The animal is grayish to light brown, with dark antennae.

Ecology
Neohelix dentifera occurs in upland forests, especially damp, rocky habitats on slopes near streams or periglacial talus. It prefers acidic soils (Hubricht, 1985) and may be found on hillsides or in coves beneath rhododendron “hells”.

Taxonomy
Synonyms for N. dentifera include: Helix dentifera, Mesodon dentifera, M. dentiferus, Polygyra dentifera, and Triodopsis dentifera.

Distribution
Neohelix dentifera is an Appalachian Mountain forest animal found inland from southeastern Canada and Maine to North Carolina. It does not extend into Ohio or the Midwest.

Conservation
NatureServe Global Rank: G5, Secure

 

Ken Hotopp, Meegan Winslow 11/2012 Range Map (click to enlarge)