Bulla
Bulla is a genus of small, air-breathing sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Bullidae. These snails are commonly known as “bubble shells” due to their smooth, translucent, and often inflated shells. They are found in a variety of marine environments, primarily in shallow waters along coastlines.
Common Names
Bulla snails are often referred to as "bubble shells" due to their characteristic shell shape. They may also be known as "sea butterflies" or "sea slugs," though these terms are more broadly applied to other marine gastropods.
Characteristics
Bulla snails are typically small to medium-sized, with shell lengths ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Their shells are usually smooth, thin, and glossy, and often have a rounded, inflated shape. The aperture of the shell is large and oval, and the outer lip is thin and sharp.
Bulla snails are characterized by their ability to breathe air. They have a well-developed lung that allows them to absorb oxygen directly from the atmosphere. This adaptation allows them to live in intertidal zones and other areas where oxygen levels are low. They also possess a pair of tentacles, a foot, and a radula for feeding.
Environment
Bulla snails are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Intertidal zones
- Shallow waters along coastlines
- Seagrass beds
- Coral reefs