This snail is one of the largest of all extant land snails with its around 7 cm (2.8 in) diameter and 20 cm (7.9 in) or more length. The shell has a conical shape, being about twice as long as it is broad. Its direction is either clockwise (dextral) or counter-clockwise (sinistral). Typically, brown is the predominant colour and the shell is banded. The shell has the highest heavy metal content of any snail species therefore it is particularly tough.