Rumina decollata, commonly known as the decollate snail, is a Mediterranean terrestrial gastropod recognised instantly by its truncated, tube‑like shell. Unlike most land snails, adults deliberately shed the pointed apex of their shell, a process that lightens the overall structure and allows them to manoeuvre more efficiently through soil and tight spaces. This distinctive “decollated” appearance is the origin of both its common and scientific names.
 
Ecologically, the species is unusual for being predatory. While juveniles may graze broadly, adults specialise in hunting other snails, slugs, and their eggs. This behaviour has led to the species being introduced internationally as a biological control agent, particularly in warm, arid regions where pest snails such as Cornu aspersum damage crops and ornamentals. In suitable climates, R. decollata is hardy, drought‑tolerant, and capable of forming stable populations.
 
Its native range spans the Mediterranean Basin, including southern Europe and North Africa, with long‑established populations in parts of the Middle East. Human‑mediated introductions have extended its distribution to the southwestern United States, China, Brazil, and isolated hothouse populations in the UK. Across this range, the species favours dry, warm microhabitats—burrowing beneath stones, leaf litter, or loose soil during the day and emerging at night to forage.