![]() ![]() Second, eating a conspecific not only removes a competitor, it is also a valuable food source. First, there is almost always competition for resources, like food and mates, in nature and cannibalism is an excellent way to eliminate the competition. Considering other cannibal species ( read more about cannibalism here), several factors tend to explain the behavior. This idea has subsequently fallen from favor after comparisons with other cannibalistic species, experimental studies with live naticids, and observations of naticid drilling predation in the fossil record. Indeed, the first explanation of naticid cannibalism was simply that the naticids were inept predators and were unable to distinguish a conspecific-belonging to the same species-from an individual of a different species. That is, many naticid species are cannibals! This propensity to consume one another can lead to complicated ecological dynamics and has also served to confuse researchers early in the study of naticid predation. In addition to eating snails and clams of different species, naticids are also known to eat other naticids, including those of the same species. As you can see in the video below, it is not always easy to get a hold of a clam! Once it has been captured, the clam (or snail) is held tightly in the foot and the naticid will often burrow into the ocean floor to hide while it undertakes the process of drilling a hole in the shell. In addition to being used for movement, the snail’s foot is also what it uses to capture and subdue its prey. If the naticid was successful in its hunt, you might find it holding onto another snail or clam in its muscular foot. You might not see the snail at first, but if you follow one of their trails in the sand, there will probably be a snail at the end of it. Quite often, naticids can be found at low tide-when they are exposed to the air-while they are hunting other snails and clams. This is likely to be the case because naticids are found around the world in habitats close to the shore, although some species live deeper in the ocean. If you have ever gone to the beach, odds are you have seen naticid seashells and it is even more likely that you have seen their handiwork (i.e., drill holes) in other shells on the beach. ![]() You may also encounter evidence of moon snails by finding small holes drilled in other shells laying on the beach.Naticids first evolved at least 200 million years ago, with many species alive today, and it is likely they used the drilling behavior for all or most of their evolutionary history. On the Coast: Moon snails are common along the Georgia coast but it is the empty shells that are usually seen washed up on the beaches. Interesting Facts: Moon snails drill a countersunk, circular hole in the shell of their prey and then consume the soft body with their proboscis. Predators: Larger snails, including other moon snails, birds, fish, and crabs. Larvae are released into the water as plankton once they hatch. A layer of sand sticks to the collar and thickens it in order to protect the eggs. Females lay eggs in a sticky mass of jelly over their shell. Size: Can reach three inches in diameter.īreeding: Sexual reproduction. The snail’s soft body is large and will conceal the entire shell when it is outstretched. ![]() The center of the shell is often dark blue or purple. Habitat: Sandy, shallow waters in the intertidal and subtidal zones.ĭescription: A large, gray/tan shell with several whorls. Range/Geographical Distribution: Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico. ![]()
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