Bleeding Tooth Nerite (also known as Red-toothed Nerite)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Cycloneritida, Family: Neritidae, Genus: Nerita, Species: Nerita peloronta · Neritidae (Nerite family) · Gastropod (univalve, whole shell, hemispherical or globose shape)
Species
Nerita peloronta
Shell Type
Gastropod (univalve, whole shell, hemispherical or globose shape)
Family
Neritidae (Nerite family)
Size
Approximately 0.75 to 1 inch in width, which is average for this species. Adult sizes typically range from 0.7 to 1.2 inches.
Color & Pattern
Characterized by alternating zigzag bands of creamy white, yellow, and deep purple-black or brown on the exterior. The most striking feature is the bright reddish-orange or blood-red patch on the inner columellar lip, resembling a bleeding tooth, complete with dark 'teeth' along the margin. Colors are natural and vivid.
Rarity
Common (frequently found in appropriate rocky intertidal habitats throughout its range)
Habitat
Found in the intertidal zone, typically residing on high-energy rocky shores, limestone cliffs, and tide pools, clinging tightly to rocks above the high-tide line where they are splashed by waves. Marine species.
Geographic Range
Widespread throughout the tropical Western Atlantic, including southern Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean Sea, Bermuda, and down to the coast of Brazil.
Description
A robust, thick-shelled marine snail with a low spire and a smooth to finely ridged exterior surface. The aperture is semi-circular with a strongly toothed outer lip and a flattened columellar area bearing the distinctive 'bleeding tooth' red stain and prominent denticles. Its compact design helps it withstand heavy wave action.
Key Features
The presence of a bright red or orange blotch on the inner lip (columella) accompanied by dark, tooth-like projections on the margin, coupled with zigzag color patterns on a stout, low-spired globose shell.
Collector Value
Low to moderate value. While common, they are popular among casual beachcombers and specialized conchologists due to their unique and striking coloration, typically sold affordably in shell shops.
Condition Notes
Specimen appears to be in Good to Fine condition with natural coloration intact, minor wear on the apex, and no major structural fractures.
Interesting Facts
Nerites are remarkably resilient and can survive out of water for extended periods by sealing their operculum tightly. They are nocturnal herbivores, grazing on microscopic algae scraped from rocks using a specialized radula.
Ecological Role
Acts as an important herbivore in intertidal rocky ecosystems by controlling algal growth on substrates. They serve as a food source for various shorebirds and predatory marine snails. Collection is generally sustainable and unregulated.
Similar Species
Nerita versicolor (Four-toothed Nerite) and Nerita tessellata (Checkered Nerite). They are distinguished by their different aperture teeth configurations, lack of the prominent red 'bleeding' patch, and distinct exterior spot patterns.
Beach Finding Tips
Search rocky shorelines, limestone outcrops, and jetties during extreme low tide. Look closely in crevices and spray zones where they huddle together.