Naticidae

Characteristics

Naticid shells are typically globose or turbinate in shape, with a smooth, glossy surface. They are usually white or cream-colored, but some species may be brightly colored or patterned. The shell has a distinct, prominent spire and a wide, rounded aperture.

Naticid snails are carnivores, and their diet consists primarily of other mollusks, such as clams and oysters. They use their muscular foot to dig into the sand or mud, where they find their prey. Once a prey item is located, the Naticid uses its radula, a ribbon-like structure covered in teeth, to drill a hole through the shell of its prey. The Naticid then inserts its proboscis, a long, fleshy tube, through the hole and sucks out the soft tissues of its prey.

One of the most distinctive features of Naticids is their ability to lay their eggs in a gelatinous mass called a "sand collar." These collars are often found attached to rocks, shells, or other surfaces, and they are a key diagnostic feature for identifying Naticids.

Environments

Naticids are found in a variety of marine environments, including intertidal zones, shallow subtidal zones, and deeper waters. They are most abundant in sandy or muddy substrates, where they can easily dig and find their prey. Some species may be found in rocky environments, where they prey on barnacles or other attached mollusks.

Notable Naticidae Species

Some well-known examples of Naticidae species include:

• Polinices duplicatus (the common moon snail)
• Neverita lewisii (the Lewis moon snail)
• Natica vitellus (the yellow moon snail)
• Euspira heros (the heroic moon snail)

References

Wikipedia: Naticidae
World Register of Marine Species: Naticidae
A review of the phylogeny and evolution of Naticidae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda)