# Black Tegula (*tegula funebralis*) The Black Tegula is a small, shiny sea snail that loves to hide among rocks. Its smooth, dark shell is not only pretty but also helps protect it from predators! - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas, especially in tide pools and rocky shorelines. - **Also known as:** Black Turban Snail, Dark Tegula ![Black Tegula](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tegula_funebralis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Steve Lonhart (SIMoN / MBNMS), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tegula_funebralis.jpg) ## Appearance The Black Tegula has a sturdy, dark grey to black conical shell, often with a shiny purple-black interior. Its smooth exterior can sometimes show faint spiral lines, differentiating it from rougher shelled snails in its habitat. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Mollusca - **Class:** Gastropoda - **Order:** Trochida - **Family:** Tegulidae - **Genus:** Tegula ## Interesting facts - Ancient coastal peoples sometimes ate Black Tegulas as part of their diet. - Other small creatures might use empty Tegula shells as tiny homes. - The inside of their shell often has a shiny, iridescent purple-black color! - Their shells can get smoother over time from wave action and rubbing against rocks! ## Special abilities - **Super Suction Foot:** Black Tegulas have a powerful muscular foot that creates strong suction, helping them cling tightly to rocks against strong waves. - **Tough Tidepool Survivor:** Black Tegulas can seal their shell openings to trap moisture, helping them survive out of water during low tide. - **Algae Scraper:** Black Tegulas use a file-like radula to scrape tiny algae and biofilm off rocky surfaces for food. ## Measurements & details - **Weight:** 5 g - **Lifespan:** 10 years - **Average Shell Diameter Cm:** 2.5 cm - **Max Shell Diameter Cm:** 3.5 cm ## Diet & Feeding These marine snails munch on tiny plants and decaying bits found on rocks. - **Primary Foods:** algae, diatoms, biofilm, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [ochre sea star](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ochre-sea-star) (*Pisaster ochraceus*) — A common predator in tide pools. - **Eats:** [black oystercatcher](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-oystercatcher) (*Haematopus bachmani*) — Birds that pry snails off rocks. - **Hunts:** emarginate dogwinkle (*Nucella emarginata*) — Prey on smaller or injured tegulas. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black Tegula? Compare the overall shape, opening, spiral, ribs, hinge and surface sculpture. Beach shells often lose the colors and sharp edges they had on the living animal, so shape does most of the work. Seashell Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How much does Black Tegula weigh? 5 g ### How long does Black Tegula live? 10 years ### What does Black Tegula eat? These marine snails munch on tiny plants and decaying bits found on rocks. ### Where is Black Tegula usually found? Coastal areas, especially in tide pools and rocky shorelines. ### How does Black Tegula hunt? Grazing ### What is the average Shell Diameter Cm of Black Tegula? 2.5 cm ### What is the max Shell Diameter Cm of Black Tegula? 3.5 cm ## Where to spot - [Arena Cove Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arena-cove-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Bodega Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bodega-bay) — US · Natural Landmark - [The Marine Mammal Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-marine-mammal-center) — California, US · Zoo - [Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pacific-rim-national-park-reserve-of-canada) — British Columbia, CA · National Park [View all places to see Black Tegula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-tegula) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Black Tegula: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-tegula)