Button Snail or Livid Button Snail
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, Family: Naticidae, Genus: Natica, Species: Natica livida · Naticidae (Moon snail family) · Gastropod (snail/univalve), whole shell, spiral shape
Species
Natica livida
Shell Type
Gastropod (snail/univalve), whole shell, spiral shape
Family
Naticidae (Moon snail family)
Size
Approximately 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter, which is typical for this species.
Color & Pattern
Pale greyish-white or bluish-gray base with spiral rows of brownish or yellowish spots and a lighter apex.
Rarity
Common
Habitat
Shallow subtidal and intertidal zones, typically found buried in sandy substrates or mudflats.
Geographic Range
Tropical and subtropical waters, often found in the Indo-Pacific or Caribbean depending on the exact species complex.
Description
A small, globular, smooth shell with a low spire and a polished exterior. It features subtle brownish markings spiraling around the body whorl and a rounded aperture.
Key Features
Globular shape, low spired whorls, smooth and polished surface, and distinct spotted banding patterns.
Collector Value
Low to moderate commercial value, widely collected by beachcombers and beginner shell enthusiasts.
Condition Notes
Intact whole shell in good condition with minor natural wear, good gloss, and clear pattern retention.
Interesting Facts
Moon snails are predatory marine gastropods that drill characteristic clean, countersunk holes into the shells of bivalves to feed on them.
Ecological Role
Acts as an active carnivorous predator in benthic marine ecosystems, helping to regulate bivalve populations.
Similar Species
Other Natica or Polinices species, distinguished mainly by subtle variations in umbilical structures and color patterns.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along sandy beaches at low tide, particularly by sifting through shell drift lines or wet sand.