Decollate snail

The decollate snail, scientific name Rumina decollata, is a medium-sized predatory land snail, a species of terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Achatinidae. It is a European species that has been introduced in a number of areas worldwide.

Varieties

 * Rumina decollata var. cruda Monterosato, 1892
 * Rumina decollata var. cylindrica Monterosato, 1892
 * Rumina decollata var. dentata Pallary, 1922
 * Rumina decollata var. fusca Pallary, 1899
 * Rumina decollata var. maura Crosse, 1873
 * Rumina decollata var. pellucida Monterosato, 1892
 * Rumina decollata var. solida Monterosato, 1892
 * Rumina decollata var. striatula Pallary, 1920

Distribution
This species is native to the Mediterranean excluding south-east Mediterranean.

It is introduced in Israel and in Egypt since Roman times. It has been introduced into North America, including Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona, and other areas Fresno, California as a biological control agent, in hopes of controlling populations of the brown garden snail.

Also found in southern Brazil, and in Great Britain, as a "hothouse alien".

Shell description
The shell of the decollate snail is long and roughly cone-shaped. It grows to approximately 40-45 mm in length and a width of 14 mm, and upon reaching mature size, grinds or chips off the end of its own shell by moving its body roughly against hard surfaces, so that the shell takes on a decollate shape, tapering to a blunt end.

Life habits
Sexual maturity occurs at approximately 10 months. An adult is capable of laying 500 eggs in its  lifetime. The eggs are deposited singly in the soil and hatch within 10–45 days.

Rumina decollata is a voracious predator, and will readily feed upon common garden snails and slugs and their eggs. The snail eats plant matter as well, but this generalist predator is indiscriminate in its feeding and has been implicated in the decimation of native gastropods (including non-pest species) and beneficial annelids.

Decollate snails are tolerant of dry and cold conditions, during which they burrow deep into the soil. They are most active during the night and during rainfall.