Feature Creature Sept09

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

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PREDATORY SNAILS

Just like land eco-systems, the habitats of the rock pools have grazers and predators. Some of the main predators on the rock platform are snails.

Cart-rut snail hunting barnacles

The Mulberry Whelk is a small snail which feasts on barnacles and oysters. It is very common in Central Coast rock pools.

Mulberry whelk

The Sydney Rock Whelk is quite a large snail and feeds on the larger grazing molluscs as well as cunjevoi. It has a striking orange body and its shell is also a pale orange colour.

Sydney Rock Whelk

Whelks such as those mentioned above, and many other predatory snails locate their prey using chemical sensors. Once found, the snail will attach itself to the shell of its victim and then secretes an acid designed to dissolve the shell. This can take many hours (sometimes up to 72!) before a small hole appears and the whelk can then insert its drill-like tongue, called a radula, which will secrete digestive enzymes to help turn its dinner into 'snail soup'. Once the prey's flesh has been softened into liquid, the snail can have its meal.

Mulberry whelks feeding on barnacles

All the organisms in the rock pools play a vital role in the eco-system. If too many animals are removed by humans, the eco-system will collapse. When visiting our rock pools, please look but don't take!

Written by Jeannie Lawson

Photographs by Chris Roberts

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