Black Turban Snail (tegula
funebralis) ~ This snail feeds on algae,
seaweed, plankton, mussels and barnacles. It
has thin, elongated depressions on the foot which acts
like a sucker and its eyes are on tentacles which can be
withdrawn in case of a threatening situaton. When
threatened, a turban snail can pull its entire body into
its shell and close a trap door-like plate (called a operculum)
behind it. Predators are shorebirds, fish, lobsters,
crabs, other snails and people who collect them. Fun
Fact! If a turban snail gets flipped over, it
can pick up pebbles with its feet and the extra weight
will enable it to roll over. Turban snails can
live up to 25 years. |