Haliotis virginea facts for kids

Haliotis virginea, also known as the Virgin Paua, is a type of edible sea snail. It's a marine mollusk, which means it's a creature with a soft body, often protected by a shell, that lives in the ocean. This particular snail belongs to the family called Haliotidae, which are commonly known as abalones.

Quick facts for kids Haliotis virginea
External view of a shell of Haliotis virginea
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Haliotis marmorata Linnaeus, 1758 Haliotis (Haliotis) gibba Philippi, R.A., 1846 Haliotis (Haliotis) marmorata Reeve, L.A., 1846 (junior homonym) Haliotis (Haliotis) subvirginea Weinkauff, H.C., 1883 Haliotis virginea virginea Gmelin, 1791 · accepted, alternate representation Haliotis (Paua) virginea Gmelin, 1791

What Does the Virgin Paua Look Like?

External view of a shell

Internal view of a shell

The shell of the Virgin Paua can be quite small. It usually measures between 30 millimeters (about 1.2 inches) and 75 millimeters (about 3 inches) in size. Like other abalones, its shell is often colorful and has a beautiful, pearly inside.

Where Does the Virgin Paua Live?

This special marine snail is found only in one place in the world. It is endemic to New Zealand. This means it naturally lives there and nowhere else. You can find it in the ocean waters around New Zealand.

How Do People Use the Virgin Paua?

In New Zealand, Haliotis virginea and two other types of Haliotis snails are known as "paua". These snails are a popular food source. However, catching them is carefully controlled to make sure there are enough for the future. This helps protect the paua population.