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Project Noah Nature School
Strombus gigas
One of the largest marine mollusks in the Caribbean. It feeds on brown and red algae. Females are significantly larger than males.Lay eggs in the sand during the summer months .When threatened, it can take long jumps using their muscular foot. Sexual maturity to get it three years of age, shown by the lip of the shell turns pink. The abandoned shells are used by other organisms such as hermit crabs.
It is distributed throughout the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the coast of Bermuda.
Overfishing and poor management has long caused a significant decrease in the number of reproductive individuals. Its meat is very popular as are the shells which are used to make clothing and reminders.
Spotted on Jan 9, 2011
Submitted on Oct 4, 2011
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