Cerith Snail – Cerithium zebrum

, Cerith Snail - Cerithium zebrum, Cerithium zebrum

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

The Cerith Snail – Cerithium zebrum is a fascinating marine snail known for its distinctive zebra-like stripes and its role in coastal ecosystems. This species is a member of the Cerithiidae family, a group of marine snails known for their elongated, spire-shaped shells.

Description & Characteristics

The Cerithium zebrum is a medium-sized snail with a shell that can grow up to 40 mm in length. Its shell is typically white or cream-colored with distinctive brown or black zebra-like stripes that run vertically along the length of the shell. The shell is also adorned with small, raised spiral ridges, giving it a textured appearance. The shell is generally quite sturdy and has a pointed apex.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Cerith Snail – Cerithium zebrum is typically found in intertidal and subtidal zones along rocky shores and sandy beaches. This species prefers to live in shallow waters, typically at depths of 0-10 meters. It is commonly found in the intertidal zone, where it can withstand exposure to air during low tide. The Cerith Snail – Cerithium zebrum is considered a common species in many parts of the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Its distribution spans a wide geographical range, from the Red Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

Taxonomy

The Cerith Snail – Cerithium zebrum belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Caenogastropoda incertae sedis, and Family: Cerithiidae. These taxonomic classifications indicate that the species is a gastropod, a diverse group of mollusks characterized by their coiled shells and muscular foot. The Order Caenogastropoda is a large and diverse group of sea snails and land snails, while the family Cerithiidae specifically encompasses species with elongated, spire-shaped shells.

Feeding

The Cerith Snail – Cerithium zebrum is an herbivorous species that primarily feeds on algae. It uses its radula, a ribbon-like structure with rows of teeth, to scrape algae off of rocks and other surfaces. The Cerith Snail – Cerithium zebrum plays an important role in coastal ecosystems by helping to control algal growth and maintain a healthy balance in the marine environment.

Associated Species

Image References

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