Two-Spotted Moon Snail (also known as the Double-Spotted Moon Snail or Polished Moon Snail)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, Family: Naticidae, Genus: Neverita, Species: Neverita duplicata · Naticidae (Moon Snail family) · Gastropod (univalve/snail). This specimen is a globular, spiral shell featuring a wide aperture.
Species
Neverita duplicata (Highly Likely based on dorsal spot and labial callus)
Shell Type
Gastropod (univalve/snail). This specimen is a globular, spiral shell featuring a wide aperture.
Family
Naticidae (Moon Snail family)
Size
Approx. 1.2 - 1.5 inches (30-38mm) in diameter. This is a sub-adult size, as mature specimens can reach up to 3 inches.
Color & Pattern
Glossy porcelain-white to creamy exterior. This specific specimen highlights the diagnostic dark brown 'double spot' located on the umbilical callus. The interior is a clean, polished white.
Rarity
Common. They are frequently found on beaches after storms or at low tide in sandy regions.
Habitat
Shallow water marine environments, typically found in intertidal sand flats or sub-tidal sandy substrates where they can burrow.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic, ranging from Massachusetts south through the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean.
Description
A sturdy, smooth, globular shell with a low spire. The shell is characterized by its heavy, polished texture and a large, deep aperture. The most striking feature of this specimen is the dark brown umbilical callus, which acts as a protective 'plug' over the shell's central axis.
Key Features
Large, dark brown/purple-hued callus covering the umbilicus; smooth, glossy surface; wide, ear-shaped aperture; low spire; globose shape.
Collector Value
Low to Moderate. While common, specimens with perfectly preserved gloss and distinct spots are staples in regional Atlantic collections. Generally valued between $2.00 - $8.00 depending on size and gloss.
Condition Notes
Good beach-worn condition. The outer edges of the lip show some minor erosion, and the surface has lost some of its high-gloss 'gem' sheen due to sand abrasion, but the diagnostic spots remain vivid.
Interesting Facts
Moon snails are predatory 'drills'. They use a specialized tongue (radula) and acid to bore perfectly circular holes into the shells of clams and other mollusks to eat them. They also create 'sand collars'—fragile, circular egg cases made of sand and mucus.
Ecological Role
High-level invertebrate predator. They help control populations of bivalves. They are in turn preyed upon by sea stars, crabs, and larger gastropods. Not currently protected.
Similar Species
Neverita delessertiana (the True Duplicated Moon Snail) which has a more deeply divided callus, and Euspira heros (Northern Moon Snail) which lacks the dark brown callus entirely.
Beach Finding Tips
Look on the edges of sandbars during extreme low tides. They are often found by looking for 'plow' trails in the wet sand or after heavy surf has disturbed the seabed.