General Description

Slightly elongated oval shell, highly polished, lead-grey external colour. Shell opeing (aperture) is oval. Lid-like cover (operculum) to the aperture present in live specimens. Columella (central axis forming one side of the aperture opposite the thin shell lip) with callus deposit (extra shell material), stained chestnut colour. Up to 3 cm long.

Biology

This species is a predator. It feeds on intertidal sand-dwelling invertebrates, including other shelled molluscs. The egg mass is a tube of clear jelly, often crescent-shaped, containing many tiny eggs. The egg mass floats for a few days and falls apart quite easily, releasing the eggs.

Distribution

Eastern Australian coastline from Townsville to southern Tasmania.

Habitat

Marine; coastal bays in intertidal zone

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