hibernating land snails (Helix aspersa) in a crack in a sycamore tree, East Lothian, Scotland

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Towards the end of every year can be seen the extraordinary sight of hundreds of common land snails (Helix aspersa) clustering together in sheltered cracks of broad-leaved trees in British woods. A few trees, usually beech or sycamore, are selected, and the snails cluster a few meters off the ground.

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Size: 3413px × 5120px
Location: Aberlady Lothian Scotland Britain UK United Kingdom Great Britain EU Europe
Photo credit: © Tom Gardner / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: agglomeration, aspersa, cluster, collection, colony, crack, crowded, dormant, group, helix, hibernating, massed, numbers, packed, protection, shelter, sheltering, sleeping, snails, sycamore, tight, tree