Tampa Drill or Florida Rock Snail
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Neogastropoda, Family: Muricidae, Genus: Urosalpinx, Species: Urosalpinx tampaensis · Muricidae (Murex and Rock Snail family) · Gastropod (univalve), whole shell with spiral shape
Species
Urosalpinx tampaensis
Shell Type
Gastropod (univalve), whole shell with spiral shape
Family
Muricidae (Murex and Rock Snail family)
Size
Approximately 1 inch in length, which is average for this species. Adults typically range from 0.75 to 1.5 inches.
Color & Pattern
Pale creamy white to light tan base with faint brownish highlights, showing some sun-bleaching typical of beach-worn specimens.
Rarity
Common in appropriate habitats, though smaller specimens can be easily overlooked while beachcombing.
Habitat
Shallow subtidal and intertidal zones, often found on oyster reefs, rocky substrates, and muddy bays in marine to brackish waters.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic, specifically along the southeastern United States coastline including South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, extending into the Gulf of Mexico.
Description
A small, sturdy marine snail shell featuring a prominent pointed spire, distinct axial ribs, and spiral cords that create a rough, textured surface. It has a relatively short canal and a thickened outer lip.
Key Features
Compact spindle shape, prominent rounded axial nodes or ribs crossed by fine spiral threads, and a small oval aperture with a short siphonal canal.
Collector Value
Low commercial value. Highly prized mainly by local shell enthusiasts and micro-shell collectors rather than commercial markets, usually worth a fraction of a dollar to a couple of dollars as a study specimen.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition. The shell is intact with visible wear on the surface sculpture due to wave action, categorized as a beach-worn specimen with lost original luster.
Interesting Facts
Members of the Muricidae family are notorious carnivorous predators that drill circular holes into the shells of bivalves like oysters and clams using a specialized radula and acidic secretions to consume the soft tissue inside.
Ecological Role
Functions as a predatory carnivore that helps regulate populations of oysters and barnacles, though it can become a significant pest in commercial oyster aquaculture.
Similar Species
Urosalpinx cinerea (Atlantic Oyster Drill), which tends to have a slightly more elongated spire and is more widely distributed along the Atlantic coast.
Beach Finding Tips
Look near oyster beds, salt marshes, and shell-hash lines on beaches in South Carolina, especially during low tide and after storms.
Notes
South Carolina