The shells of this family do not possess an operculum. Many empty freshwater snail shells may be found without an operculum. If your specimen does not have an operculum and does not match the shape and/or descriptions on the following pages, please go back and try the group with an operculum.
Mostly medium to large shells. The tentacles of this family are triangular and flattened, with the eyes placed at the base of them. The shell is thin and horny, usually with a pointed spire, although in some species the spire is hidden by the greatly enlarged body whorl. The mouth edge is simple and there is no operculum. The family is represented in Britain by five genera, Galba, Lymnaea, Myxas, Omphiscola and Radix. The taxonomy used in this key follows Anderson (2005).
Or is the spire taller; nearly as tall as,
or taller than the aperture, like these?
Does the shell have a short spire,
much shorter than the aperture,
like this one?
Please click on the image most like your specimen in order to continue