Helix pomatia

The Snail of Burgundy ( Helix pomatia ), is the snail eaten traditionally in France, prepared in shell and with the garlic and parsley butter. Rare and protected in France, it is imported of Greece and the Pays of the East and comes from the collecting or breeding (Héliciculture).

Description

The snail of Burgundy, also called " Large blanc" , measurement from 40 to 55 mm for an adult weight from 25 to 45 G.

The head carries the Mufle and four Tentacule S: two small, directed to the bottom, explore the ground whereas the two others, finished by the " eyes " are drawn up.

The mouth is arched; the festooned upper lip recovers a jaw in the shape of small hard and fixed blade. Inside, is the raspy and mobile language: the Radula

Three openings are visible:

the opening of reproduction and big shot located on the right from the head,
the respiratory opening (pneumostome) and the anus, both located at the joint of the shell and the foot

One easily recognizes snail of Burgundy to his brown shell striated with white and his white Péristome.

The snails thrive of spring until the first cold then they dig a deep hole (up to 30 cm) and is locked up in their shell to hibernate all the winter.

In nature, he saw 7 to 8 years on average but can reach the 20 years age if he is not victim of Prédateur.

Food

The snail of Herbivorous Burgundy east . It nourishes fresh plants but also of waste. It needs a ground Calcaire to manufacture its shell.

Reproduction

H. pomatia lays in May or June, 2 to 8 weeks after the coupling, in holes dug in the ground. It also happens that the snail lays an additional dozen eggs in August or September according to the areas.

H. pomatia needs a litter from 7 to 8 cm of depth to lay 30 to 50 eggs 3 mm in diameter very appreciated of Fourmis, Pince-oreille S, Mille-pattes, etc the ground should be neither too dry nor too wet. In the hard clay soils, the rate of reproduction decreases because the snail of Burgundy cannot bury there its eggs and the newborns have evil to leave there. A ground made up of organic matter 30% with a temperature of 21 °C and a water content of 80% constitute the ideal conditions.

In héliciculture, the eggs are taken immediately after the laying to be preserved under the best conditions until the blossoming.

The snails lose a substantial weight after the laying. Approximately 1/3 do not go back from there.

The eggs are covered with a mixture of Bave and ground which makes it possible to preserve them wet.

Small the H. pomatia hatches 3 to 4 weeks after the laying, according to the conditions of temperature and moisture. The Bird X, Insect S, Rodent S, Batrachian S and others Prédateur S take a heavy tax on the new generation.

Habitat

Its natural geographical distribution is the Central Europe.

Protected space

Since 1979 in France, certain snail species, in particular Helix pomatia are the subject of a special protection envisaging the prohibition of the collecting for the period of reproduction, of April first at June 30th included. During the other months of the year, the collecting of Snail of Burgundy is authorized, except for the subjects whose diameter is lower than three centimetres.

Use

The snail of Burgundy is generally regarded by the amateurs as having better taste than the Small-Gray.

The extract prepared starting from this snail (hélicidine) is used for its broncho-releasing properties.

Gastronomy

Eggs of snail (kind of Caviar)
Snails of Burgundy (receipt) (Burgundian Kitchen)

External bonds

Regulation of the collecting of snails of Burgundy on www.inra.fr

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