Sigapatella terraenovae facts for kids

The Sigapatella terraenovae is a fascinating type of sea snail. It's a small mollusc that lives in the ocean. This particular snail belongs to a group called Gastropoda, which includes all snails and slugs. It's part of the Calyptraeidae family, often known as "slipper snails" or "cup-and-saucer snails."

Meet the Sigapatella Snail

The Sigapatella terraenovae is a unique creature of the sea. It's a type of gastropod, which means "stomach-foot." This name describes how snails move using a large, muscular foot. These snails are found living on the seabed.

What is a Sea Snail?

Sea snails are molluscs that live in salt water. They have a soft body, usually protected by a hard, spiral shell. This shell grows with the snail as it gets bigger. Snails use a special organ called a radula to scrape food. Think of it like a tiny, rough tongue.

Home Sweet Home: New Zealand

This specific sea snail, Sigapatella terraenovae, is special because it lives only in New Zealand. When an animal or plant lives only in one specific area, we say it is "endemic" to that place. New Zealand is famous for its unique wildlife. Many species there are found nowhere else on Earth. This makes the Sigapatella terraenovae an important part of New Zealand's natural heritage.

The Calyptraeidae Family

The Sigapatella terraenovae is a member of the Calyptraeidae family. This family includes snails often called "slipper snails" or "cup-and-saucer snails." They get these names from the shape of their shells. Many snails in this family have a special shelf-like structure inside their shell. This shelf can look like a slipper or a small cup.

How They Live

These snails are often found attached to rocks or other hard surfaces. They are filter feeders. This means they eat tiny bits of food floating in the water. They use their gills to filter out these small particles. It's like they are constantly sipping a nutrient-rich soup!

What's in a Name?

The scientific name Sigapatella terraenovae tells us a few things. Sigapatella is the genus name. terraenovae is the species name. The word "terraenovae" comes from Latin and means "of the new land." This is a nod to its home, New Zealand. The name was given by A.J. Peile in 1924. Scientists use these two-part names to make sure everyone knows exactly which species they are talking about. It's like a unique first and last name for every living thing!