Made by Serif

Home. About OCCI. What's On. Feature Creature. Fun & Games. Photo Galleries. Share-a-Story. Join OCCI. Contact OCCI. Useful Links.

© 2011 Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives

© 2007 Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives

Welcome to the feature creature page. Here you will find short articles on different marine creatures. A new article will be featured each month.

Apr 2010 - Lichens

Mar 2010 - Chitons

Feb 2010 - Barnacles

Jan 2010 - Rockpools

Dec 2009 - Sea Tulips

Nov 2009- Cuttlefish

Sept 2009 - Predatory Snails

Aug 2009 - Plankton

July 2009 - Periwinkles

June 2009 - Fish

May 2009 - Limpets

Apr 2009 - Coralline algae

Nov 2008 - Shrimp

Oct 2008 - Turban Snail

Sept 2008 - Sponges

Aug 2008 - Abalone

July 2008 - Elephant Snail

Feb 2008 - Sea Hare

Jan 2008 - Octopus

Dec 2007 - Urchins


website-hit-counters.com
website hit counters

Turban Snail

These are a group of large sea snails which are vegetarian grazers that live in the mid to lower regions of our rock platforms. They take their name from the shape of their shell which resembles a turban head-dress. They are some of the largest snails found in our rock pools and can reach up to 12 cm in diameter, although records show that there were much larger ones before over harvesting by humans depleted their numbers.



   Several species make up this group of animals and all have various characteristics. All of them, however, have a 'door' on the end of their 'foot' which they can close to make their shell air-tight. This 'door' is called the operculum.


The Military Turban Snail has a very thick and beautiful operculum and was once made into buttons for soldiers' coats. These 'shell doors' are often found along the strandline or shell grit at the beach and are commonly known as 'cat's eyes'. They look like flat, round white shells with whorls on the underside. Maybe you can find some next time you're at the beach.



   Please remember to respect the life of our rock pools when visiting so that it will all be there the next time you visit.


Written by Robyn Aitkens

Photographs by Chris Roberts