The Ramshorn
Planorbis planorbis
Shell diameter 12mm

Appreciably smaller than the great ramshorn and with narrower, more tightly-packed whorls. Shell colour pale brown and seen sideways on, it is noticeably flattened on one side. Common and widespread in most lowland areas of Britain and Ireland. Favours ponds, ditches and lakes and, like its relative, can tolerate quite stagnant conditions. Grazes mainly algae which coat water plants.