Invertebrates

Probably Cepaea nemoralis - Lothian, Scotland - October 2005

The Gastropoda are a large group molluscs with over 60000 species known. They inhabit practically every known habitat: from mountain tops to deserts to the abyssal depths of the deepest oceans. The most familiar species are the land snails and slugs.

Cheshire, England - June 2008

Probably Helix aspersa - Liverpool, England - June 2007

County Kerry, Ireland - July 2008

A very large snail (shell approx. 10cm) being attacked by ants - Tambopata, Peru - December 2008

Oxyloma pfeifferi - Cheshire, England - June 2008

Oxyloma pfeifferi - Lancashire, England - May 2009

Manu, Peru - December 2008

mating snails - North Island, New Zealand - November 2005

Gastropods are hermaphroditic, with each individual possessing both male and female sex organs. The courtship behaviour of snails and slugs is amazingly complex in some species, involving long 'chases' and/or mutual caressing with their tentacles and lips. Copulation often requires several attempts since both sets of genetalia must interact simultaneously.

North Island, New Zealand - November 2005

Nottinghamshire, England - April 2010

Empty egg shells of a marine Gastropod - West Glamorgan, Wales - June 2009

Class: Polyplacophora

The chitons are an exclusively marine group that are highly adapted to life in the intertidal zone.

Lepidochitona cinerea - West Glamorgan, Wales - June 2009