Arctic Whelk [Neptunea heros]
Description
Neptunea heros, commonly known as the Arctic Whelk, is a species of large sea snail. This gastropod mollusk is native to the northern Pacific Ocean, particularly the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean. It is typically found in subtidal zones, at depths of 18 to 500 meters. It has a large, robust shell that can reach up to 130 mm in length, with a prominent spire and deep sutures. Its color is typically reddish-brown to yellowish-white.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Gastropods
Gastropoda
|
| Order |
Neogastropoda
Neogastropoda
|
| Family |
Whelks
Buccinidae
|
| Genus |
Arctic whelks
Searlesia
|