Reproductive habits of Cepaea nemoralis

[malacological]

Hello! Glad to be here amongst fellow snail hobbyists. 

I am hoping to breed my Cepaea nemoralis, but have been struggling to find consistent information on their reproductive habits. As I understand it, they are simultaneous hermaphrodites possessing both male and female reproductive organs yet to breed needs one female to two males. Is this correct?

Also, whilst they don't self-fertilise - they are capable of storing sperm internally within their oviducts: how long can they do this for?
Finally is a puffy mantle a reliable indicator that fertilisation has occurred? 

Any other info is appreciated too - thank you for in advance for any responses

[snaileyhammy]

Hi there!

I do not own any Cepaea nemoralis, and I do not know much about their reproductive habits, but I can see what I can find via research. They are in fact hermaphrodites, so any two snails CAN mate with each other. They can't self fertilize, but I do believe they CAN, as you stated, store sperm. I am not quite sure how long, but for a long period of time I am sure. And yes, I have heard that a puffy mantle does indicate in some species, that fertilization has occurred!

I will do some research and see if there is any other information I can find. But for now, I hope that information helps, but do take it with a grain of salt, as I do nit own Capaea nemoralis, and therefore fo not now a whole ton about them. Let me know if you you have any other questions! Glad to have you here!