Roman snail

It is likely that the Romans introduced this snail to England as a delicacy. In the Middle Ages monks farmed them as a source of food. Snails were not considered to be meat or fish so could be eaten during Lent.

Today the Roman snail is found in the North Downs, Chilterns, Cotswolds and Mendip Hills. In 2008 it received legal protection in the UK due to increased collecting by amateur and professional chefs.

These snail shells are specimens from Colonel George Montagu’s (1753-1815) collection. Most of Montagu’s shell collection is under RAMM’s care. They were donated to RAMM by Montagu’s son in November 1874.

In January 2020, the Montagu Collection was awarded Designated status by Arts Council England. This mark of distinction recognises the collection’s international significance to the science community. It is the most intact and taxonomically important collection of British shells of the early 19th century (1800-16) to be found anywhere in the UK.

Visual description: The Roman snail shells are spherical, with four rounded whorls finishing in a tight spiral at the end. The shells are a light brown colour.