Giant Olive [Oliva gigas]
Description
Oliva gigas, commonly known as the Giant Olive, is a species of large sea snail. It is found in the Western Pacific, especially the Philippines and Indonesia. This species prefers sandy substrates near coral reefs. The shell is elongated, smooth, and glossy, with a pattern of dark brown or black zigzag markings over a lighter background, and the animal inside is capable of changing its color to match its surroundings. The Giant Olive is active at night and burrows in the sand during the day.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Gastropods
Gastropoda
|
| Order |
Neogastropoda
Neogastropoda
|
| Family |
Olive snails
Olividae
|
| Genus |
Giant Olives
Callianax
|