Batillariidae

The Batillariidae is a family of small to medium-sized marine snails, commonly known as “horn snails” or “mud snails.” They are gastropods belonging to the Littorinomorpha clade, a group that includes many other intertidal snails, such as the periwinkles. Batillariidae snails are distinguished by their characteristic conical shells, which are often smooth and glossy. They are mostly found in intertidal and estuarine habitats, often inhabiting mangroves and saltmarshes.

New Zealand Mud Creeper, Southern Creeper – Zeacumantus subcarinatus

Common Names

The most common names for Batillariidae snails are "horn snails" and "mud snails." These names are reflective of their shell shape and the muddy environments they typically inhabit.

Characteristics

Batillariidae snails have a number of distinctive characteristics:

  • Conical Shell: Their shells are typically conical, with a pointed apex and a broad base. This shape provides protection from predators and helps them to cling to surfaces.
  • Smooth and Glossy Shell: The shell surface is usually smooth and glossy, often with a brown or black coloration. This smoothness may help them to reduce drag in the water and to avoid being colonized by organisms like barnacles.
  • Operculum: Like many other snails, they possess an operculum, a hard plate that covers the opening of the shell when the snail retracts inside.
  • Filter Feeders: Most Batillariidae snails are filter feeders, using their gills to extract food particles from the water. This feeding strategy allows them to thrive in nutrient-rich environments like mangroves and saltmarshes.

Environments

Batillariidae snails are found in a variety of intertidal and estuarine habitats. They are commonly found in:

  • Mangrove Forests: Many species live among the roots and trunks of mangrove trees, where they graze on algae and detritus.
  • Saltmarshes: They are also abundant in saltmarshes, where they can tolerate fluctuating salinity levels and tidal inundation.
  • Rocky Shores: Some species can also be found in rocky intertidal habitats, where they cling to rocks and other hard surfaces.

References

For further information on Batillariidae, you can consult these reliable sources: