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Golden volute facts for kids

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Golden volute
Iredalina mirabilis.JPG
Golden volute, Iredalina mirabilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
(unranked):
clade Caenogastropoda
clade Hypsogastropoda
clade Neogastropoda
Superfamily:
Muricoidea
Family:
Volutidae
Genus:
Iredalina

Finlay, 1926
Species:
I. mirabilis
Binomial name
Iredalina mirabilis
Finlay, 1926
Synonyms

Iredalina aurantia Powell, 1954

The golden volute (Iredalina mirabilis) is a very special type of sea snail. It's a large, rare mollusc that lives deep in the ocean. This amazing snail belongs to a group of snails called Volutidae, often known simply as volutes.

This particular snail is the only species in its group, which scientists call a genus. So, the Iredalina genus has just one member: the golden volute!

Where the Golden Volute Lives

The golden volute is a true native of New Zealand. This means it is found only in the waters off New Zealand's east coast. It's a unique creature to that part of the world!

Its Deep-Sea Home

This beautiful volute snail lives very deep in the ocean. It can be found at depths between 180 and 700 meters (about 590 to 2,300 feet). That's deeper than many tall buildings!

Sometimes, you might find empty golden volute shells closer to the surface. This often happens because hermit crabs pick up these shells. The crabs then carry them into shallower waters as their new homes.

What the Shell Looks Like

The shell of the golden volute is quite rare and very beautiful. Because of this, it is highly valued by shell collectors.

The shell can grow quite large. It can reach up to 140 millimeters (about 5.5 inches) in height. Its width can be up to 48 millimeters (about 1.9 inches).

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