Gaza superba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gaza superba |
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| Various views of shells of Gaza superba with the operculum visible in place | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): |
clade Vetigastropoda
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| Superfamily: |
Trochoidea
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| Family: |
Turbinidae
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| Subfamily: |
Margaritinae
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| Genus: |
Gaza
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| Species: |
G. superba
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| Binomial name | |
| Gaza superba (Dall, 1881)
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| Synonyms | |
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Gaza superba is a fascinating deep-sea snail. It is a type of marine mollusk. This amazing creature belongs to the family Trochidae. These snails are often called "top snails" because of their shell shape.
What Does Gaza superba Look Like?
The shell of Gaza superba is quite beautiful. It usually measures about 2.5 to 4 centimeters wide. The top part of its shell, called the spire, is a bit raised. In adult snails, the very tip of the shell is open.
A special part called the umbilicus is mostly covered. It is about 75% hidden by a smooth, hard layer. The shell's color is like old ivory. It often has a lovely golden shine. The first few swirls of the shell might even have a faint wine color.
Gaza superba also has an operculum. This is like a little trapdoor. It is round and can be yellow or brown. The snail uses it to close off its shell for protection.
Where Does Gaza superba Live?
You can find Gaza superba in warm ocean waters. It lives in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
What Kind of Home Does it Like?
This deep-sea snail prefers to live on the ocean floor. It likes muddy or sandy bottoms. You can find it at depths from 380 to 925 meters. Most often, it lives around 600 meters deep.
