Milk Snail
ExploreInvertebrate
Milk Snail
otala lactea
The Milk Snail (Otala lactea), also known as the Spanish snail, is a highly adaptable terrestrial gastropod native to the Mediterranean basin. Renowned for its resilience, this species has successfully colonized various parts of the world, including North America and Bermuda, where it is often introduced through the pet trade or heliciculture. A fascinating aspect of its biology is its extreme drought tolerance; during dry, hot periods, it can enter a state of dormancy called estivation, sealing itself inside its shell with a mucus barrier to survive for months without active hydration.
Habitat: Found in dry, open habitats, including coastal scrublands, rocky hillsides, gardens, and agricultural fields where it clings to vegetation or rocks.
Appearance
The Milk Snail features a robust, globose shell measuring about 2.5 to 4 cm in diameter. Its shell coloration is highly variable but generally displays a milky-white or cream background adorned with five distinct chocolate-brown spiral bands and delicate speckled patterns. A key diagnostic feature is the mature shell's aperture lip, which is strongly reflected and has a striking dark brown to nearly black interior rim, contrasting sharply with the pale outer shell. The snail's soft body is typically a pale brownish-gray or cream color.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassGastropodaOrderStylommatophoraFamilyHelicidaeGenusOtala
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
During courtship, milk snails shoot microscopic calcified 'love darts' into each other's bodies to inject hormones that increase the chance of successful fertilization.
Milk snails have been consumed by humans for millennia, as evidenced by massive prehistoric shell middens found in caves across North Africa.
They are simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning every individual possesses both male and female reproductive organs, though they still require a partner to mate.
Special abilities
Ability
Epiphragm Seal
Secretes a tough, parchment-like membrane of dried mucus over its shell opening to lock in moisture during periods of drought.
Ability
Estivation Dormancy
Enters a deep metabolic sleep that can last for several months to survive extreme heat and dry conditions.
Ability
Frictionless Locomotion
Produces a specialized slime trail that lubricates its path, allowing it to glide harmlessly over sharp objects like thorns and rocks.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 2+ cm
- Weight
- 0.005+ kg
- Lifespan
- 2+ years
- Clutch Size
- 50+
- Incubation
- 14+ days
Diet & Feeding
Feeds primarily on a wide variety of green plants, agricultural crops, and decaying organic matter.
Primary Foods
- Clover
- Cabbage
- Decaying leaves
- Lichen
- Garden vegetables
Foraging Method
- Grazing
Ecological connections
eaten by
Rosy Wolfsnail
Euglandina rosea
A carnivorous snail that aggressively hunts and preys upon milk snails in overlapping territories.
eaten by
European Hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus
Forages in gardens and open woodlands, regularly consuming milk snails as a key food source.
competitor
Garden Snail
Cornu aspersum
Competes directly for food resources, shelter, and breeding sites in garden and agricultural ecosystems.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Milk Snail?
The easiest way to identify Milk Snail is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Milk Snail?
2+ cm
How much does Milk Snail weigh?
0.005+ kg
How long does Milk Snail live?
2+ years
What does Milk Snail eat?
Feeds primarily on a wide variety of green plants, agricultural crops, and decaying organic matter.
Where is Milk Snail usually found?
Found in dry, open habitats, including coastal scrublands, rocky hillsides, gardens, and agricultural fields where it clings to vegetation or rocks.
How does Milk Snail hunt?
Grazing
How many eggs does Milk Snail lay?
50+
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
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Texas, US
Hood County Courthouse Historic District
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Marineland of the Pacific
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Aquarium30 sightings12 species
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Marineland of the Pacific
You might spot Western Fence Lizard and Sunburst Anemone.
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Park30 sightings12 species
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Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve
You might spot Black-Tailed Jackrabbit and Northern Harrier.
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Zoo30 sightings12 species
California, US
Selig Zoo
You might spot Red-Tailed Hawk, Milk Snail, and Western Fence Lizard.
View guide →
