In terms of size, it measures 8 to 10 cm in length, and its shell is 3 to 4 cm in diameter. Its main characteristic is precisely its spiral shell, which has several light and dark brown stripes that it uses for protection and hibernation. Its body is grayish or brown with a mucous texture. It also has 4 antennae; the upper ones contain each of its eyes, and the lower ones are responsible for its sense of smell. It uses mucus to move more easily, but also to prevent dehydration, to have greater adhesion, and to completely insulate its shell during hibernation. The snail hibernates in winter in colder places and is mainly active at night or on humid days.

It feeds on plants, preferably young ones, such as leaves, flowers, and fruits. This is why it is considered a pest in vegetable gardens, and also why it prefers this habitat. It is hermaphroditic, having both sexual organs; both snails fertilize each other and lay eggs. They lay them in moist, protected soil, and they take about 2 to 4 weeks to hatch.