Austrocochlea constricta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Austrocochlea constricta |
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| Drawing with two views of a shell of Austrocochlea constricta | |
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The Austrocochlea constricta, also known as the southern periwinkle or common periwinkle, is a type of sea snail. It's a mollusk that lives in the ocean. This snail belongs to the family called Trochidae, which are often known as "top snails" because of their shell shape.
Contents
What Does the Southern Periwinkle Look Like?
The shell of the southern periwinkle can be between 15 mm and 32 mm tall. Its width is usually between 22 mm and 28 mm. This shell is quite thick and solid.
Shell Colors and Patterns
The shell often looks dull gray or whitish. It might have black zigzag lines or stripes. Sometimes, it has spiral bands of black. Other times, the shell is almost one solid color.
Shell Shape and Features
The top part of the shell, called the spire, is shaped like a cone. The very tip of the spire is sharp. The shell has about five whorls, which are like the turns or spirals of the shell. These whorls are rounded.
The first whorl is often worn down. The whorl just before the main body part has three strong spiral ridges. The largest part of the shell, called the body whorl, has about seven strong ridges.
The opening of the shell, known as the aperture, is slanted. The edges of this opening, called the lips, can be thick or thin. They might have small grooves where the main ridges are. The inner part of the shell, called the columella, is short and slanted. It has a small tooth-like bump at its base.
Where Do Southern Periwinkles Live?
This marine snail lives only in Australia. This means it is endemic to Australia. You can find it off the coasts of:
