Spotted Whelk [Nassarius reticulatus]
Description
The Spotted Whelk is a medium-sized sea snail that inhabits the European coasts, from Norway to the Mediterranean and Black Sea. They have a bulbous shell with a short spire, and are known for their unique coloration, which ranges from pale brown to black, with white or yellow spots. They prefer muddy or sandy bottoms where they feed on dead and decaying organic matter.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Gastropods
Gastropoda
|
| Order |
Neogastropoda
Neogastropoda
|
| Family |
Whelks
Buccinidae
|
| Genus |
Wrinkled whelks
Nassaria
|