[3] Several subspecies are recognized by some authors: This species is native to Europe: Arianta arbustorum is introduced to North America, but is only known from Canada, where established populations are known from Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Ontario,[7] and Prince Edward Island.

Therefore, it has been suggested that this species be given top national quarantine significance in the USA.

[9] The shell is usually brown with numerous pale yellowish rows of spots and usually with a brown band above the periphery, occasionally yellowish, reddish or with greenish hue, weakly striated and with fine spiral lines on the upper side.

[4] The shell shape is globular in most present-day populations, but originally is believed to have been depressed in the Pleistocene, before lowlands were invaded and shells became globular, re-invading mountain regions except some isolated spots among glaciers.

[4] It may locally tolerate non-calcareous substrate, in north Scotland also on sandhills.

[4] In the Alps up to 2700 m, in Britain 1200 m, in Bulgaria 1500 m.[4] It feeds on green herbs, dead animals and faeces.