You might be familiar with moon snails because of their large spherical shells. But there’s a lot more to these creatures than meets the eye. For instance did you know that moon snails are carnivorous? In this post we’ll take a closer look at what moon snails eat and how they hunt for prey.
Moon snails are a type of marine gastropod mollusk. There are over 1000 species of moon snails which are found in all the world’s oceans. Moon snails have a soft spiral-shaped body that is protected by a hard shell. The shell is made up of two parts: the outer “door” or operculum and the inner shell.
Moon snails are predators that hunt for other marine creatures such as clams worms and other snails. They use their large muscular foot to drill a hole through the shell of their prey. They then insert their proboscis a long tubular tongue-like appendage into the hole and consume their prey.
Moon snails are sometimes called “killer snails” because of their predatory habits. However they are not harmful to humans and are actually considered a delicacy in some cultures.
If you’re interested in learning more about moon snails and their fascinating ecology be sure to check out the references below.
References:
http://www.eol.org/pages/483686
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euspira
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/03/killer-snails-menace-british-coasts
http://www.livescience.com/27692-moon-snails.html
What do moon snails eat?
Moon snails are predators and scavengers and their diet consists of clams other snails worms carrion and detritus.
Where do moon snails live?
Moon snails can be found in all oceans but they are most commonly found in shallow sandy areas.
What is the lifespan of a moon snail?
The lifespan of a moon snail is approximately 2-5 years.
What is the size of a moon snail?
The size of a moon snail ranges from 1-6 inches.
What is the color of a moon snail?
The color of a moon snail can be white cream yellow brown or black.
What is the shell of a moon snail used for?
The shell of a moon snail is used for protection and also contains the snail’s spiraling shell.
How does a moon snail move?
A moon snail moves by using a large foot to glide across the surface of the ocean.
How does a moon snail reproduce?
Moon snails reproduce sexually and the female lays her eggs in a gelatinous mass on the ocean floor.
What is the predators of a moon snail?
The predators of a moon snail include crabs fish birds and other predators that feed on mollusks.
What does a moon snail look like?
A moon snail has a large round flat body with a small head and a large foot.
Its shell is spiral-shaped and contains the snail’s body.
How does a moon snail feed?
A moon snail feeds by using a radula or tongue to drill a hole in the shells of its prey.
It then sucks out the soft tissue of the animal.
What is the scientific name for a moon snail?
The scientific name for a moon snail is Naticidae.
What is the family name for a moon snail?
The family name for a moon snail is Naticidae.
What phylum does a moon snail belong to?
Moon snails belong to the phylum Mollusca.
What class does a moon snail belong to?
Moon snails belong to the class Gastropoda.
