Black Gloss Snail

The shell of Z. nitidus is reddish brown. The umbilicus is large: almost 25% of shell diameter. The shell has radial growth lines. It is wider than it is tall. It is 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) wide and 3.5–4.0 mm (0.14–0.16 in) tall. The body of the adult animal is black with an orange dash: the (mantle gland is visible under the shell's aperture). Juveniles are whitish grey with light brown translucent shells.

Zonitoides nitidus has a Holarctic distribution. It is found in most of Europe, except the southernmost regions.

Czech Republic – least concern (LC) Netherlands Russia – Tver, Moscow, Novgorod, and Ulyanovsk Ukraine Slovakia Great Britain – north British highland zones and not in north Scotland. In some regions in Britain the species has declined due to drainage. Ireland Hebrides Orkney Shetland rare in northern Greece Canada The non-indigenous distribution of this species includes:

introduced to Menorca

Zonitoides nitidus occurs in wet meadows and river woods, usually near water bodies, swamps and swampy forests, in the zone of emergent vegetation. Man-made habitats such as pools in old quarries are sometimes colonized after a few years. In Switzerland it is found up to 2100m (6900 ft) of altitude. Zonitoides nitidus is largely herbivorous, but is malacophagous in summer. Z. nitidus feed on disintegrating leaves, mushrooms, roots and fruit, but they do not eat dry leaves. When consuming soft food such as mushrooms or soft fruits, Z. nitidus penetrates perpendicularly inside; the entire animal including its shell can penetrate inside the fruit. In summer, Z. nitidus prey upon snails and bivalves. In Germany up to three clutches of 2–9 eggs per individual are laid in all seasons, with some days or weeks spacing between egg-laying. Egg diameter is 1.0–1.6 mm (0.04–0.06 in). Eggs are laid loose into the soil. Juveniles have 1.5 whorls (diameter 1–1.2 mm, 0.04–0.05 in) after hatching. They start feeding on disintegrating plant remains in the soil. After 3 months the shell diameter reaches up to 3 mm (0.12 in) under favourable conditions, after 10 months 6 mm (0.24 in), and full size after slightly more than one year. Maximum age is 18 months under laboratory conditions. Parasites of Zonitoides nitidus include:

Elaphostrongylus spp. Parelaphostrongylus tenuis