Haliotis australis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haliotis australis |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Drawing with two views of a shell of Haliotis australis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Haliotis australis is a type of sea snail. People often call it the "queen pāua," "yellow-foot pāua," or austral abalone. It's a kind of abalone, which is a group of large sea snails with a single, ear-shaped shell. These snails live in the ocean and are sometimes eaten by people.
Shell Description
The shell of the Haliotis australis can be between 40 mm and 100 mm long. That's about the size of a small cookie to a medium-sized apple!
Its shell is thin and oval-shaped, with a rounded, convex back. It has faint spiral lines and strong, wavy ridges that spread out like rays. There are usually 6 to 8 round holes along one edge of the shell. These holes have raised edges.
The shell's color can be light yellowish-brown, red near the top (called the spire), or light green with red flame-like patterns. The outside surface has small spiral cords and regular, wavy folds. On the inside, the shell is shiny and silvery. It often shows beautiful reflections of blue, green, and red colors.
Where It Lives
This special sea snail lives only in New Zealand. You won't find it naturally anywhere else in the world!
How People Use It
Haliotis australis is one of three types of Haliotis species known as "pāua" in New Zealand. People there collect them for food.
While these "Queenies" are usually smaller than another type called Haliotis iris, they are still harvested. However, there's a rule: they must be at least 80 mm long before they can be taken. This helps make sure there are enough pāua for the future.
_from_New_Zealand.jpg)
_Shells_(Interior)_New_Zealand.jpg)
