USDA Guidelines for Land Snails



The Helix aspersa (land snail, used in Animals Two by Two, Structures of Life, and Diversity of Life FOSS modules) is on the USDA list of plant pests. The transport of this snail across state lines is controlled by the USDA in conjunction with State Departments of Agriculture.

If your school is in any continental state other than California or Massachusetts,
a representative from your school will need an annual USDA permit for the Helix to be shipped to your school. If your district has a materials distribution center that includes the living organisms, USDA will allow the materials center coordinator to be the district permit holder. Delta Education has information on the regulation of Helix in different states and offers assistance in applying for the permit (PPQ 526).

Delta Education works with biological suppliers in California and Massachusetts, so if your school is in either of those two states, you don’t need a Helix permit.

Please call 1-800-258-1302 for information and permit application instructions. Plan an extra 3–4 weeks for USDA permit approval before you can order your snails.