Hebrew Moon Snail – Naticarius hebraeus

, Hebrew Moon Snail - Naticarius hebraeus, Naticarius hebraeus

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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, Yellow Sea

The Hebrew Moon Snail, scientifically known as Naticarius hebraeus, is a fascinating marine gastropod species belonging to the family Naticidae. These snails are captivating due to their unique appearance and intriguing ecological roles within their habitats.

Description & Characteristics

The Naticarius hebraeus showcases a distinctive shell pattern with a characteristic spiral structure. This pattern, often resembling Hebrew lettering, contributes to the snail’s common name. The shell is typically a creamy white color with dark brown or reddish-brown markings. These markings often form bands or blotches, creating a visually striking contrast against the lighter background. The shell of a mature Naticarius hebraeus can reach a maximum size of approximately 50 mm in diameter.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Hebrew Moon Snail thrives in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, particularly in rocky and sandy substrates. They are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to the Philippines and Australia. This species is often observed in the neritic zone, which encompasses coastal waters extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.

Taxonomy

The Naticarius hebraeus species belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, and Family: Naticidae. This family comprises a diverse group of marine snails characterized by their globose, often smooth shells. These snails are further categorized within the Order Littorinimorpha, which includes a wide range of marine and freshwater snails, demonstrating the intricate classification system within the mollusk phylum.

Feeding

The Hebrew Moon Snail is a carnivore, primarily feeding on other marine snails. Its predatory nature is evident in its specialized feeding strategy. The snail drills a hole through the shell of its prey using its radula, a rasping tongue-like structure. Once the hole is created, the Naticarius hebraeus inserts its proboscis, a long, fleshy tube, to extract the soft body of its prey. In addition to hunting live snails, Naticarius hebraeus is also known to scavenge on carrion. This opportunistic feeding behavior allows them to effectively utilize various food sources within their marine environment.

Associated Species

Image References

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