ANIMAL FACT FILE: Garden snail

This fact file introduces young learners to the biology and behaviour of the garden snail (Cornu aspersum). The resource provides key facts about the snail’s habitat (hedgerows, gardens, and fields), diet (vegetation), size, lifespan, and when to see them—making it ideal for year-round nature observation. Learners will also discover interesting trivia, such as the snail’s role in French cuisine, helping to connect science with culture.

Alongside factual learning, this fact file promotes simple conservation actions like avoiding pesticide use and protecting green spaces to help snails and other invertebrates thrive. This resource supports learning across science, geography, and citizenship, while encouraging young people to explore the importance of even the smallest creatures in our ecosystems.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the physical characteristics and diet of the garden snail

• Understand the snail’s habitat and lifecycle

• Explore the relationship between wildlife, culture, and conservation

• Learn how to support local biodiversity through everyday choices

Curriculum Links:

• Science: Invertebrates, habitats, food chains, life cycles

• Geography: Local environments, land use, ecosystems

• Citizenship: Positive action for wildlife, respect for living things

• English: Reading non-fiction and writing factual descriptions