Turbo militaris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Turbo militaris |
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| Drawing of a shell of Turbo militaris (smooth form) | |
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Turbo militaris, also known as the military turban, is a type of sea snail. It's a marine gastropod mollusk, which means it's a creature with a soft body, usually protected by a shell, that lives in the ocean. This snail belongs to the Turbinidae family.
Sometimes, people confuse the military turban snail with another similar snail called Turbo imperialis.
Contents
What Does the Military Turban Snail Look Like?
The shell of the military turban snail can be between 60 mm (about 2.4 inches) and 100 mm (about 4 inches) long. It's a large and strong shell with rounded whorls, which are the turns or spirals of the shell.
Shell Shapes and Spines
These snails can look quite different from each other. Some have very smooth shells, while others have two rows of open spines on their main body part. There are also snails with shells that are somewhere in between, having some bumps but not full spines.
The smooth shells often have almost no front canal (a small groove near the opening), but the spiny shells have a clear one. It's interesting because both smooth and spiny forms can be found living in the same places!
Shell Colors and Features
The opening of the shell, called the aperture, is almost round and looks like shiny white mother-of-pearl inside. The outer edge of the opening, called the lip, is quite thin.
The shell's color often has spiral bands of brown or green on a light brown background. The central pillar of the shell, known as the columella, is smooth and white with green edges.
The snail also has a hard, round lid called an operculum. This lid is made of a chalky material and is white with a bit of green on its outer surface. It helps the snail close off its shell for protection.
Where Do Military Turban Snails Live?
You can find these marine snails living off the coast of Australia. They are found in the waters from northern Queensland all the way down to New South Wales.
Images for kids
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Drawing of a shell of Turbo militaris (smooth form)
