Moon Snail (Shark Eye / Northern Moon Snail)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, Family: Naticidae, Genus: Euspira, Species: Euspira heros · Naticidae (Moon Snail family) · Gastropod univalve whole shell with a globose, spiral shape
Species
Euspira heros
Shell Type
Gastropod univalve whole shell with a globose, spiral shape
Family
Naticidae (Moon Snail family)
Size
Approximately 3 inches in diameter, which is typical for a mature Northern Moon Snail. Adults generally range from 2 to 4 inches.
Color & Pattern
Rich dark brown and blackish tones with sweeping growth lines, featuring a contrasting creamy-white inner spire and dark apex. The colors are deep and natural, showing a healthy intact periostracum layer.
Rarity
Common to Very Common, frequently found along New England and Mid-Atlantic beaches.
Habitat
Found in marine environments, specifically buried beneath fine sand or muddy substrates in the shallow subtidal to intertidal zones.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the coast of Canada down to North Carolina, commonly found along the New Jersey shoreline.
Description
A magnificent and robust globose shell with a low, tight spire and a smooth, polished exterior. The rich dark brown periostracum gives it a glossy finish, framing the striking creamy-white coloration of the inner whorls and apex.
Key Features
Globose, rounded body whorl, low spire, smooth glossy surface with fine growth lines, and a wide circular aperture designed to accommodate a large foot.
Collector Value
Low to moderate commercial value, but highly prized by beachcombers for its pleasing symmetry and rich dark color when found with an intact periostracum.
Condition Notes
Gem to Fine condition. The shell is intact with a very well-preserved dark periostracum, no major chips or cracks, and clear coloration.
Interesting Facts
Moon snails are predatory carnivores that drill circular holes into other bivalves using an acidic secretion and their radula. They create distinctive sand collars to hold their egg masses.
Ecological Role
Acts as an apex predator among benthic mollusks, helping to control bivalve populations while serving as a food source for various marine scavengers and fish.
Similar Species
Neverita duplicata (Shark Eye), which tends to have a brownish-grey tone and a distinct callus filling the umbilicus.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along sandy beaches during low tide, particularly after severe storms or heavy surf. Search for the distinctive sand collars which indicate moon snail activity nearby.
Notes
New Jersey