Eurytrochus maccullochi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eurytrochus maccullochi |
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| Original drawing with two views of a shell of Eurytrochus maccullochi | |
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Eurytrochus maccullochi is a type of small sea snail. It lives in the ocean and is a gastropod mollusk. This means it's a creature with a soft body, usually protected by a shell, and it moves on a "foot." It belongs to the family called Trochidae, which are often known as "top snails" because their shells often look like spinning tops.
Contents
About the Shell
The shell of Eurytrochus maccullochi is quite tiny. It grows to about 6 millimeters (which is less than a quarter of an inch) long and 6.5 millimeters wide. It's a very strong shell, shaped a bit like a flattened globe.
Shell Colors and Patterns
The shell is a dull white color. It has cool patterns of black or chocolate-brown "flames" painted on it. These flame patterns often stand out more on the raised parts, called ribs, than in the spaces between them.
Shell Spirals and Features
The shell has six whorls, which are like the turns of a spiral staircase. On the upper part of the shell, there are six raised spiral lines, or "ribs." These ribs are a bit bumpy and get bigger as they go towards the outer edge of the shell. They also go up the spire, which is the pointy top part of the shell.
Between these main ribs, you might see one or two thinner spiral lines. The shell also has fine lines that show how it grew over time. On the bottom part of the shell, there are eight more spiral lines. These get smaller as they get closer to the center.
The Opening and Inside
The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is almost square-shaped and dips down slightly. The inner edge of the opening is smooth and shiny. The inside of the shell is a brilliant, pearly white, like the inside of an oyster shell. This shiny layer is called nacre.
There's a part of the shell called the columella, which is like a central pillar. A small part of this pillar extends into the umbilicus. The umbilicus is a narrow, deep hole in the center of the shell's base. It has a bumpy edge and two deep ridges inside.
Where It Lives
This small sea snail lives only in the ocean waters off North Queensland, Australia. It's found nowhere else in the world!
