The Rejected Neptune, Clench’s Neptune (Neptunea despecta) is a species of large, predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Buccinidae, commonly known as the true whelks.
Description & Characteristics
The Rejected Neptune, Clench’s Neptune (Neptunea despecta) is a large, robust sea snail with a thick, heavy shell. Its shell can reach up to 100 mm in length and is typically brown or yellowish-brown in color with a distinctive pattern of white spots and stripes. The shell is typically covered in a thin layer of periostracum, which is a protective outer layer that helps to prevent wear and tear.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Rejected Neptune, Clench’s Neptune (Neptunea despecta) is typically found in the subtidal zone, inhabiting areas with rocky bottoms and kelp forests. It is a common species in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to California. This species is prevalent in the Neritic zone, which encompasses the coastal waters extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The Rejected Neptune, Clench’s Neptune (Neptunea despecta) belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, and Family: Buccinidae. This family, Buccinidae, is a diverse group of marine snails, commonly known as true whelks, and contains a wide variety of species with varied habitats and feeding habits.
Feeding
The Rejected Neptune, Clench’s Neptune (Neptunea despecta) is a carnivorous predator that feeds primarily on carrion, consuming dead fish and other marine organisms. It is often found scavenging on the seafloor, using its strong radula, a rasping tongue-like structure, to tear apart its prey.
Image References