Moon snail

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Moon Snail
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gastropoda Order: Neotaenioglossa Family: Naticidae Genus: Polinices Species: P. heros
Binomial name
Polinices heros synonym = Lunatia heros[1] (Say, 1822)

The Moon Snail (Polinices heros syn. Lunatia heros) is a common intertidal gastropod predator. They are found on mud and sand at depths of up to 1200 ft. (364 m) from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to North Carolina. Evidence of moon snails is even easier to find than the snails themselves:

The powerful fut enables this gastropod to plow under the sand in search of other mollusks. Upon finding one, it "drills" a hole into the shell with its radula, releases digestive enzymes, and sucks out the somewhat predigested contents.^[2]

[edit] External links

• Eco Field Guide: Northern Moon Snail

[edit] Notes

1. ^ ITIS classification. ITIS.gov.
2. ^ Andrew J. Martinez (2003). Marine Life of the North Atlantic: Canada to New England. Aqua Quest Publications. Retrieved on February 17, 2007.