Blood-tooth Nerite (also known as the Bleeding Tooth Nerite)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Cycloneritida, Family: Neritidae, Genus: Nerita, Species: Nerita peloronta · Neritidae (Nerite family) · Gastropod (snail/univalve), whole shell, hemispherical or globose shape
Species
Nerita peloronta
Shell Type
Gastropod (snail/univalve), whole shell, hemispherical or globose shape
Family
Neritidae (Nerite family)
Size
Approximately 0.75 inches (19 mm) in width, which is average for this species. Adults typically range from 0.5 to 1.25 inches.
Color & Pattern
Featuring a base color of pale yellowish-white or cream heavily overlaid with zigzag bands or streaks of purplish-black, grey, and rich crimson-red. The aperture exhibits a distinct yellowish-white outer lip marked by bright red teeth resembling bleeding gums or teeth, earning it its common name. Colors are natural and vibrant.
Rarity
Common (found regularly on rocky shores and shell-rich beaches in its native range)
Habitat
Inhabitants of the supralittoral and upper intertidal zones, typically found on rocky shores, limestone formations, and splash zones above the high tide mark where they cling tightly to rocks.
Geographic Range
Tropical Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and down to South America, specifically recovered from Guanacaste (Playa Conchal), Costa Rica.
Description
A remarkably solid, robust, and hemispherical marine snail shell with a low spire and heavy sculpture consisting of low spiral ridges and growth lines. The inner columella shelf is flat with characteristic bright red staining and prominent teeth along the edge, matching the striking red blotch on the inner lip margin that mimics a bloody tooth.
Key Features
Distinguished immediately by the bright red coloration on the inner lip resembling a bleeding tooth, combined with heavy spiral ridges, a low flattened spire, and zigzag purplish-black exterior banding.
Collector Value
Inexpensive and widely available, highly popular among beginner beachcombers and casual collectors due to its striking and unique coloration.
Condition Notes
Good condition with well-preserved natural coloration, minor signs of beach wear but structural integrity remains high. Collectibility grade: Good to Fine.
Interesting Facts
Nerites are exceptionally hardy marine snails capable of surviving out of water for extended periods by sealing their operculum tightly. They are nocturnal grazers that feed on microscopic algae scraped from rocks using their radula.
Ecological Role
Acts as an important herbivore on rocky shores, controlling algal growth and serving as a food source for coastal predators such as fish, crabs, and shorebirds.
Similar Species
Nerita versicolor (Four-toed Nerite) and Nerita tessellata (Checkered Nerite), which lack the prominent red bleeding-tooth coloration on the aperture lip.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along rocky intertidal zones, limestone benches, and shell-hash beaches like Playa Conchal in Costa Rica at low tide, specifically searching crevices and rock bases where they hide during the day.
Notes
Guanacaste conchal Costa Rica