Mountain snail, Lucorum or Helix Lucorum inhabits Asia Minor, Iran, Caucasus and Balkan and Crimean semi islands. Its appearance is similar to grape snail. It is popular in cosmetology.
General features of Helix Lucorum
The Lucorums and Helix Pomatia have similar features. Both have a spherical shell of 4-5 cm in diameter. It has five turns. The shell is dark or brown. A characteristic feature of color, peculiar to Lucorum is numerous red-brown spiral lines. Typically, Lucorum weights 25 grams.
Nutrition peculiarities
In natural conditions, Helix Lucorum consumes rotted green parts of plants and fallen leaves. Sometimes, it can prefer soil and mushrooms. Young Lukorums eat crops; therefore, it is often considered a pest.
The best climate
Mountain snail inhabits territories with warm and wet climate. It does not fall into anabiosis, however, it may hide in the ground in the dry summer periods. The activity period decreases as soon as the temperature increases from 30 degrees calcium and higher.
25-30 degrees Celsius with the humidity level of 85 percent are the most appropriate conditions for these snails. It explains why they can be met in forests and bushes.
Ecology
Helix Lucorum inhabit the territories with the most appropriate climate:
- deciduous forests;
- fields and meadows;
- territories near water;
- the parks;
- populated areas.
Reproduction
The optimal period for Helix Lucorum’s activity is mid-spring. Mountain snails are hermaphroditic (both male and female), therefore each snails is able to lay eggs.
In natural conditions, up to 75% of eggs are able to survive. In the conditions of farms, more eggs can survive. 25% of eggs die because of unfavorable environmental factors and the characteristics of Lukorum, as cannibalism can be met among them. One snail may lay its eggs in the same place with others, destroying their eggs.
Helix Lucorum eggs lay eggs in the ground for 4.4 mm. The caviar incubation period lasts from 22 to 27 days; however, it can be reduced to 19 under the most favorable conditions (20 degrees Celsius, 85% humidity).
As soon as the young snails have hatched, they need protection and extra feeding. They are extremely vulnerable to the enemies, namely: hedgehogs, moles, birds and some insects, which cause 89 % of young snails’ mortality. This level can be reduced to 30% in farms.