Ecrobia ventrosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ecrobia ventrosa |
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| A shell of Ecrobia ventrosa. | |
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The spire snail, known scientifically as Ecrobia ventrosa, is a tiny snail found in Europe. It lives in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salty water, like in estuaries or coastal lagoons.
This little snail is an aquatic gastropod mollusk. This means it's a type of snail that lives in water and has a single shell. Like many water snails, it breathes using a gill and has a special "trapdoor" called an operculum that can close its shell opening. It belongs to the snail family Hydrobiidae.
Where Does the Spire Snail Live?
The spire snail is found along the coasts of many European countries. It prefers areas where fresh and salt water mix.
You can find this snail in:
- Iceland
- Norway
- Great Britain
- Ireland
- France
- The Baltic Sea
- The Black Sea
- The White Sea
It is common in coastal areas, especially around the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
What Does the Spire Snail Look Like?
The shell of the spire snail is quite small. It usually measures about 3 to 4 millimeters long and 1.5 to 2 millimeters wide.
Shell Features
The shell has 5 to 7 whorls, which are the spiral turns of the shell. These turns are slightly rounded. The line between each spiral turn, called the suture, is quite deep.
The opening of the shell, known as the aperture, is rounded at the top. It is attached to the last spiral turn of the shell. The edge of this opening, called the lip, is not very thick.
The shell itself has very fine lines, almost like tiny scratches. It is usually see-through and has a shiny, yellowish-brown color. However, it is often covered by a dull layer of dirt or other material, making it look less shiny.
