Pictus Top Shell [Cantharidus pictus]
Description
The Pictus Top Shell is a marine gastropod mollusk in the Trochidae family. Its shell is typically adorned with a complex pattern of ridges and grooves, giving it a unique, textured appearance. The shell's coloration varies, but it is often a mottled combination of tan, brown, and green, providing excellent camouflage against the rocky substrates of its intertidal habitat. This species feeds primarily on algae and is most active at night.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Gastropods
Gastropoda
|
| Order |
Littorinimorpha
Littorinimorpha
|
| Family |
Tritons
Ranellidae
|
| Genus |
Sculptured Top Shells
Cabestana
|