Moon Snail (Shark Eye or Natica / Neverita species)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Gastropoda, Order: Littorinimorpha, Family: Naticidae, Genus: Neverita, Species: Neverita duplicata · Naticidae (Moon Snail family) · Gastropod (univalve), whole shell, globular spiral shape
Species
Neverita duplicata (or related Naticidae species)
Shell Type
Gastropod (univalve), whole shell, globular spiral shape
Family
Naticidae (Moon Snail family)
Size
Approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter, which is a small specimen. Adults of this family typically range from 1 to 3 inches depending on the specific species.
Color & Pattern
Uniform chalky white, heavily sun-bleached and weathered with no remaining natural color patterns, periostracum entirely worn away.
Rarity
Very Common
Habitat
Found primarily in shallow marine waters on sandy or muddy bottoms where they burrow beneath the sediment to hunt for bivalves.
Geographic Range
Cosmopolitan distribution found worldwide in temperate to tropical marine waters, commonly along sandy coastlines.
Description
A small, globular, smooth-spired gastropod shell. It features a low, compact spire and a rounded body whorl typical of moon snails. Due to beach weathering, the surface is matte white and slightly porous.
Key Features
Rounded globular body, low spire, smooth exterior texture, and a partially obscured umbilicus at the base.
Collector Value
Very low commercial or collector value due to commonness and weathered condition, but makes a charming keepsake for casual beachcombers.
Condition Notes
Worn and sun-bleached condition with a chalky texture. Loss of original coloration and polish places it in Fair condition for a beach find.
Interesting Facts
Moon snails are famous for drilling perfectly round holes into the shells of bivalve prey using an acidic secretion and a rasping radula.
Ecological Role
Act as important benthic predators controlling bivalve populations, and their empty shells frequently provide crucial secondary housing for hermit crabs.
Similar Species
Other members of the Naticidae family such as Neverita lewisii (Lewis's moon snail) or Polinices species, distinguished mainly by size, umbilicus structure, and geographic locality.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along sandy beaches at the low tide line or sift through shell drift where surf deposits lightweight shells.