Wavy Turban Snail

Aquarium Inhabitant Bio

Megastraea undosa

Description

A large sea snail with a shape resembling a turban. Can be identified by its conical brown shell with spiraling wavy ridges

Habitat and distribution

Can commonly be found in shallow rocky areas below the tide line. Ranges from Southern California to central Baja California.

Diet

grazes on kelp and encrusting algae. The Wavy Turban snail in this tank can sometimes be seen scraping the sides of the glass with its specialized tongue-like structure called a "radula"

Fun Fact

The Wavy Turban snail is equipped with a hard "operculum," which can be shut like a trap door around the shell opening to protect the soft-bodied snail from predators and retain moisture.