Horn Snail

Horn Snail

Deeply curved canal on upper side

English Common Name
Horn Snail
Scientific name
Batillaria zonalis
Taxonomy
Order: Caenogastropoda, Family: Batillaridae
Size
About 4 cm (size of the shell)
Species Distribution
Okinawa Island (mainly east coast), Iriomotejima Island
Okinawan Common Name
Chinbowrah (general term for sails such as B. multiformis and Cerithidea cingulata)
Okinawa Red List of Threatened Species: Near Threatened
Japan Red List of Threatened Species: Vulnerable
This species is relatively big in genus Batillaria. Skinny shell has deeply curved canal on upper side. This curve is a distinctive feature of the Horn Snail. This species can be found forming a group in areas that have mixture of mud and sand. It feeds on detritus (organic matter such as dead microorganisms). Recently, landfill of tidal flats is a concern for habitat losses and environment destructions along coasts.
Group of Horn Snails

Group of Horn Snails


Updated June 2017

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