This tiny dog whelk, under 0.6 in (1.5 cm) tall, lives on tidal flats in sheltered bays of East Asia and isn't found in the US. It is a scavenger that quickly gathers in crowds at dead clams.
Appearance
- Appearance
- A small, sturdy shell up to about 0.5–0.6 in (13–15 mm) tall, with coarse ribs crossing spiral ridges in a rough, woven pattern. Color ranges from yellowish gray-white to dark gray.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- Tidal flats
- Sheltered bays
- Range
- Coasts of East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and China, from southern Hokkaido to the South China Sea. Not found in North America.
- Preferred conditions
- Lives on sandy bottoms in the intertidal zone of sheltered bays.
Behavior
- Diet
- Feeds on such as dead clams, and has a keen sense of smell for decaying flesh.
Life cycle
- Reproduction
- Each egg capsule holds roughly 50 eggs. When food runs short, the developing young inside a capsule may eat one another.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
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