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Hexaplex trunculus
It is a sea snail with the shell about 5-8 centimeters in length. It has a very characteristic shape, it is conical, with spines or roughness and with a variable coloration depending on whether it has small organisms on its surface. It has an oval opening and a highly visible siphon channel.
Shallow waters with a rocky bottom, Mediterranean see. La Manga (Murcia).
Its hypobranchial gland, located between the head and the liver, secretes a transparent mucus that, once exposed to air and light, turns color and turns purple. The Phoenicians were the main traders of this natural dye for clothing and tunics, highly valued in ancient times. 12,000 animals were needed to produce a few grams of this dye. Hexaplex trunculus has a well-developed sense of smell, which enables it to locate bodies from a distance.
Spotted on Aug 13, 2020
Submitted on Aug 13, 2020
1 Comment
Lovely spoting