Animal Species:Sydney Rock Whelk
The Sydney Rock Whelk is usually found at low-tide level on or near its favourite food, the Cunjevoi.
Sydney Rock Whelk with eggs
Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
Alternative Name/s
Orange Triton
Identification
The Sydney Rock Whelk has distinguishing red-brown lines, often in pairs between the grooves of the shell.
Size range
15 cm
Distribution
The Sydney Rock Whelk is found in Southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Habitat
The Sydney Rock Whelk is found on intertidal rock platforms.
Feeding and Diet
The Sydney Rock Whelk selectively feeds on the Cunjevoi's gonads (reproductive organs) and reaches them by inserting its long mouthparts down one of the siphons or feeding tubes of the Cunjevoi.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Aboriginal people most likely ate these snails in the past, as the shells have been found in Aboriginal midden sites around Sydney.
Classification
- Species:
- spengleri
- Genus:
- Cabestana
- Family:
- Ranellidae
- Order:
- Sorbeoconcha
- Class:
- Gastropoda
- Phylum:
- Mollusca
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Last Updated:
Tags whelks, molluscs, gastropods, shellfish, food, edible, indigenous, wildlife of sydney, identification, invertebrates,