Chlorodiloma odontis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chlorodiloma odontis |
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| Drawing with two views of a shell of Chlorodiloma odontis | |
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The Chlorodiloma odontis, also known as the checkered top shell, is a type of sea snail. It is a marine gastropod (a kind of snail) and a mollusk. This interesting creature belongs to the Trochidae family, which are often called "top snails." They get this name because their shells often look like a spinning top.
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What Does the Checkered Top Shell Look Like?
The shell of the checkered top shell is usually between 10 mm and 20 mm long. That's about the size of your thumbnail! Its shape is like a cone, but a bit rounded.
Shell Features
The shell can be solid or have a very tiny hole. Its surface has fine spiral lines, which might fade on the largest part of the shell. You can also see tiny, sharp growth lines.
Colors and Patterns
The very first swirls at the top of the shell are white and often look worn. The rest of the shell has a cool, net-like pattern. This pattern is made by black or bluish lines crossing each other at right angles. It looks very neat and elegant.
Inside the Shell
The edge of the shell's opening is thin and sharp. Inside, it's a beautiful green color and shines with an iridescence, like a rainbow. The central pillar inside the shell, called the columella, is smooth and pearly. The area around the columella is a bright, vivid pea-green.
Where Does the Checkered Top Shell Live?
This sea snail is endemic to Australia. This means it is found naturally only in Australia and nowhere else in the world. You can find the checkered top shell living off the coasts of South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria.
