Atlantic Moon Snail (Shark's Eye fragment)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, Family: Naticidae, Genus: Neverita, Species: N. duplicata · Naticidae (Moon Snail family) · Gastropod (slug/snail); This specimen is a broken fragment consisting only of the body whorl's upper portion, missing the spire and base.
Species
Neverita duplicata (formerly Polinices duplicatus)
Shell Type
Gastropod (slug/snail); This specimen is a broken fragment consisting only of the body whorl's upper portion, missing the spire and base.
Family
Naticidae (Moon Snail family)
Size
Approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter. This is a medium-sized specimen for a species that can reach 3-5 inches.
Color & Pattern
Uniformly creamy white to pale tan. The glossy, lead-grey or blue-toned brown patterns natural to the species have been sun-bleached and eroded by the surf, resulting in a matte porcelain-like finish.
Rarity
Very Common. These are some of the most frequently found shells on Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches.
Habitat
Inhabits sandy bottoms in shallow intertidal and subtidal zones. They often burrow just beneath the sand surface to hunt for bivalves.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico, including the Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun).
Description
A globose, heavy-walled snail shell fragment. This piece is the rounded 'shoulder' of the body whorl. While the living shell is remarkably smooth and glossy, this beach-worn example shows a dulled, chalky texture from salt and sand abrasion.
Key Features
Smooth, rounded curvature; thick, sturdy shell wall; lack of distinct ribs or spines; and the characteristic circular break where the spire once sat.
Collector Value
Minimal financial value ($0-$1) due to the heavy damage and common nature. It holds sentimental value as a beach find but is not a 'specimen-grade' piece for a serious collection.
Condition Notes
Poor to Fair condition. The shell is a beach-worn fragment (beach-washed). It has a large hole where the apex/spire was broken off and is missing the umbilical area and aperture. Collectibility grade: Culinary/Craft grade.
Interesting Facts
Moon snails are predatory 'drills.' They use a sand-paper-like tongue called a radula to drill perfectly circular holes into clam shells. They also lay eggs in unique 'sand collars' that look like discarded pieces of rubber or plastic on the beach.
Ecological Role
An important apex predator of the sandy benthos, helping to control bivalve populations. Their empty shells are frequently used as homes by hermit crabs.
Similar Species
Euspira heros (Northern Moon Snail) which lacks the large callus on the umbilicus, or Polinices lacteus (Milk Moon Snail) which is naturally white and smaller.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along the high-tide line after a storm or during low tide on sandy flats. In Cancun, they are often found near seagrass beds where their prey (clams) is abundant.
Notes
Cancun