Clanculus thomasi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clanculus thomasi |
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| Shell of Clanculus thomasi (syntype at MNHN, Paris) | |
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Clanculus thomasi is a type of small sea snail that lives in the ocean. It's a mollusk with a spiral shell, belonging to a group often called "top snails" because of their shell shape. These snails are part of the family Trochidae.
Contents
What Does Clanculus thomasi Look Like?
Shell Size and Shape
The shell of Clanculus thomasi is quite small. It can be anywhere from 5 mm to 15 mm long. That's about the size of a pea or a small marble! The shell has a cone-like shape, but it's also a bit rounded, like a globe.
Colors and Patterns
These snails often have a reddish-pink color with white spots. Imagine a tiny shell with a beautiful pattern!
Shell Features
The shell has five main spirals, called whorls. These whorls are slightly rounded. They also have tiny ridges that spiral around them. These ridges are very finely bumpy.
The line where the whorls meet is called the suture. For Clanculus thomasi, this line is quite deep and looks like a small groove.
The largest part of the shell, where the snail's body is, has eight more ridges. These ridges go around the base of the shell, near the opening.
The Opening and Inside of the Shell
The opening of the shell is called the aperture. It's where the snail comes out. The inside of the shell, visible through the opening, is shiny and pearly.
The central part of the shell, which looks like a belly button, is called the umbilicus. In young snails, this part is smooth and white. As the snail gets older, it might have tiny bumps.
Sometimes, you can find a variety of this snail that is greenish-brown with white spots. Its very tip might be rosy pink.
Where Does Clanculus thomasi Live?
This marine snail lives in the ocean waters near New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island. These are islands in the Pacific Ocean.
