Animal Species:Elephant Snail
The Elephant Snail looks like it has grown too big for its shell.
Elephant Snail in rock pool
Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
Alternative Name/s
Roman Shield
Identification
The white shield-shaped shell of the Elephant Snail is often completely covered over by the black mantle. A member of the limpet family, this snail is easy to identify because of its large size and black colour.
Size range
15 cm
Distribution
Elephant Snails are found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Habitat
Elephant Snails are found in intertidal rock pools.
Feeding and Diet
The Elephant Snail is usually found feeding on algae in pools, crevices or under stones.
Classification
- Species:
- antipodes
- Genus:
- Scutus
- Family:
- Fissurellidae
- Suborder:
- Prosobranchia
- Order:
- Archaeogastropoda
- Phylum:
- Mollusca
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Last Updated:
Tags snails, invertebrates, marine, identification, wildlife of sydney, mollusca, gastropoda,