Fossarina petterdi facts for kids
Fossarina petterdi is a tiny sea snail. It's a type of mollusc that lives in the ocean. These snails belong to the Trochidae family, which are often called "top snails" because of their shell shape.
Quick facts for kids Fossarina petterdi |
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| Drawing with two views of a shell of Fossarina petterdi | |
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What it Looks Like
The shell of Fossarina petterdi is quite small. It usually grows to about 4 millimeters long. That's less than half a centimeter!
The shell has a narrow opening called an umbilicus. It has faint spiral lines on it. You might also see very light lines running lengthwise.
Its color is a dark purplish-black. It often has a few irregular white markings too. The three whorls (or turns) of the shell are rounded.
The main part of the shell, called the body whorl, is large and round. The area around the umbilicus is white. Inside, the shell is greenish-black. You can still see the white markings from the outside.
This snail also has a thin, hard "door" called an operculum. It's made of a tough material and has many spirals. The snail uses it to close off its shell opening for protection.
Where it Lives
This sea snail lives only in Australia. When an animal or plant lives only in one specific place, it's called endemic.
You can find Fossarina petterdi off the coasts of South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. It lives in the ocean waters around these areas.
