Tulip Shells – Fasciolaria hunteria, and Fasciolaria tulipa These highly polished, brightly colored snails with barber shop whorls feed on other small snails. They use their sharp operculums (the door that seals the shell) to slash at their prey. Their vase-shaped egg cases are commonly seen all over the grass flats in the Spring. Class: Gastropoda Family: Fasiolariidae/tulips and horse conchs | |
White Flat Clawed Hermit Crab – Pagurus pollicaris, An amusing, active species often seen scampering around tide flats. They are commonly found in moon snail shells, and often wear cloak anemones and pink hydroids. Hermits exchange shells with each other. When a crab grows and needs to move into a larger shell, other hermits gather to receive the old one. The sluggish red "dimpled" hermit, Pagurus impressus also has flat claws and lives in deeper water. Subphylum: Crustacea Infraorder: Anomura | |
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