Alcithoe arabica facts for kids
Alcithoe arabica, also known as the Arabic volute, is a very large type of sea snail. It's a marine mollusc, which means it lives in the ocean. These snails belong to the Volutidae family, often called "volutes."
Quick facts for kids Alcithoe arabica |
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| A shell of the shouldered form of Alcithoe arabica | |
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Alcithoe swainsoni Marwick, 1926 |
Where Does It Live?
This special sea snail only lives in New Zealand. It is found nowhere else in the world.
What Does It Look Like?
The shells of Alcithoe arabica are quite big. They can grow from about 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) to 22.5 centimeters (9 inches) tall. They can also be up to 8.8 centimeters (3.5 inches) wide.
These shells are usually strong and shaped like a spindle, which means they are wider in the middle and narrower at the ends. They have small bumps, called tubercles, on the upper part of the shell's main body.
The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is tall. It has a thick, rounded outer lip. The outside of the shell is a yellowish-white color. It has zig-zag patterns that look like chestnut brown markings. These patterns form five bands around the shell. People thought these zig-zag marks looked like Arabic writing, which is how the snail got its name.
Unlike some snails, A. arabica does not have an operculum. An operculum is like a little trapdoor that some snails use to close their shell. These snails have a large foot, which is the part they use to move. It's usually grey to brown and has purple and orange spots.
How Does It Live?
These sea snails live in areas of the ocean called subtidal waters. This means they live below the low tide line, so they are always covered by water. They prefer soft sediments, like sand or mud, on the seafloor.
Alcithoe arabica can move quite quickly on this soft ground. They are predators, meaning they hunt other animals for food. They eat bivalves, which are creatures like clams or mussels. The snail uses its large foot to cover and smother the bivalve to catch it.
The eggs of this species are round and have thin shells. The female snail lays these eggs on stones or other shells on the seafloor.
Subspecies
- Alcithoe arabica motutaraensis Powell, 1928
- Alcithoe arabica swainsoni Marwick, 1926
Gallery
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A shell of Alcithoe arabica (smooth form)
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Apertural view
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See also
In Spanish: Alcithoe arabica para niños
