Neohelix albolabris, commonly known as the Whitelip Snail, is one of the largest and most recognisable native land snails in eastern North America. Its shell, typically 25–40 mm across depending on latitude, is a broad, rounded dome with a distinctive pale lip around the aperture. This species was first described in 1817 by Thomas Say and holds the distinction of being the first land snail named by an American‑born naturalist.
 
In the wild, N. albolabris inhabits damp, rich forest habitats, often sheltering under leaf litter, logs, and rocks. It is especially associated with rotting sugar maple logs, coarse woody debris, and lower forest slopes. Field studies show that it is most active during warm, rainy periods, and juveniles grow more slowly when competing with adults for food and moisture. Predators include ground beetles such as Calosoma spp., which are common in some of its habitats.
 
The species has a wide natural range, historically recorded from Maine to Georgia and west to the Mississippi River, though recent research suggests that what was once considered a single species may actually be a complex of several cryptic sister species. Even so, N. albolabris remains the characteristic “whitelip” snail across much of the northeastern and midwestern United States. Its large size, attractive shell, and ecological importance make it a favourite subject for naturalists and malacologists alike.