What is Helix (gastropod)?
{{italictitle}} {{Automatic taxobox | fossil_range= {{fossil range|Oligocene|Recent}} | image = Helix pomatia 89a.jpg | image_caption = ''[[Helix pomatia]]'' | taxon = Helix | authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]] | type_species = ''Helix pomatia'' | type_species_authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]] }} '''''Helix''''' is a [[genus]] of large air-breathing land [[snails]], [[Terrestrial animal|terrestrial]] [[Pulmonata|pulmonate]] [[gastropod]] [[mollusc]]s.<ref>'Pulmonate' means they have a sort of [[lung]], instead of [[gills]].</ref> The genus ''Helix'' is known from the [[Oligocene]] onwards.<ref>Ivanov M., Hrdličková, S. & Gregorová, R. (2001) Encyklopedie zkamenělin. – Rebo Productions, Dobřejovice, 1. vydání, 312 pp., page 126. (in Czech)</ref> This genus is native to [[Europe]] and the regions around the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. The best-known [[species]] include ''[[Helix aspersa]]'', the common, or brown [[garden snail]], and ''[[Helix pomatia]]'', the Roman snail, Burgundy snail, or [[edible snail]]. ''[[Helix pomatia|H.&nbsp;pomatia]]'' and some other species are eaten as [[escargot]]s. ''Helix'' snails have been introduced throughout the world, where some, especially ''H. aspersa'', have become garden pests. Snails in this genus create and use [[love dart]]s during mating. ''Helix'' snails prefer cool, damp environments, as they easily get dry. Snails are most active at night and after [[rainfall]]. During unfavourable conditions, a snail will remain inside its [[animal shell|shell]], usually under [[rock (geology)|rocks]] or other hiding places, to avoid being discovered by [[predator]]s. In dry [[climate]]s snails will naturally congregate near water sources, including artificial sources such as waste-water outlets of [[air conditioner]]s. The common garden snail (''Helix aspersa'') is [[herbivore|herbivorous]]. These snails are able to digest most vegetation including [[carrot]]s and [[lettuce]]. They al