Black Turban Snail

Description:

Medium-sized sea snail with gills and an operculum, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Tegulidae.Most adult individuals of this species have shells which are 20 to 50 mm (or about an inch, to an inch and three quarters) in diameter. Empty shells of this species are very often used by hermit crabs, especially Pagurus samuelis. This species is lusterless, purple or black. The apex is usually eroded, and orange-colored. The teeth of the columella are white, and there is never a yellowish streak at the base. The whorls are spirally lirate, sometimes smooth except on the base, sometimes strongly lirate above. The suture is margined below by an impressed line, and by elevated, foliaceous incremental lamellae. This last feature may almost always be detected, although sometimes but very slightly developed. The foliated subsutural margin is characteristic, also, though not always developed.

Habitat:

Tidal pools, rocks. Next to Morro Rock, Morro Bay, CA.