Lewis'S Moon Snail

neverita lewisii

Lewis's Moon Snail (Neverita lewisii) is a true giant of the intertidal world, holding the title of the largest species of moon snail on Earth. Native to the sandy beaches and muddy bays of the Northeast Pacific, this predatory marine gastropod is best known for its remarkably large, muscular foot. When expanded, this foot allows the snail to glide effortlessly over and beneath the seafloor in search of prey, acting like a plow. Yet, should danger arise, the snail can expel water from pores along the foot, shrinking it down completely to retract within its heavy, globose shell, sealing the opening with a tough horny door called an operculum.

Habitat: Found in sandy or muddy intertidal and shallow subtidal zones along coastal beaches, bays, and estuaries.

Appearance

The shell of Lewis's Moon Snail is large, heavy, and globose, typically measuring 8 to 15 centimeters in diameter with a smooth, creamy-white to yellowish-brown or pale grey coloration marked by fine growth lines. In life, the most striking feature is its massive, fleshy, grayish-brown foot, which can extend to cover the entire shell. A thick, brown, horn-like operculum seals the shell's aperture when the snail retreats inside.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassGastropodaOrderLittorinimorphaFamilyNaticidaeGenusNeverita

Lewis'S Moon Snail

Interesting facts

A single sand collar can contain up to hundreds of thousands of individual eggs, which hatch into free-swimming planktonic larvae.

The characteristic 'sand collar' egg case is often mistaken by beachgoers for industrial rubber trash or a discarded piece of plastic.

To retreat back inside its protective shell, the moon snail must squeeze out water from special pores in its foot, essentially deflating itself.

Special abilities

Utilizes seawater to pump up its muscular foot to several times its shell's volume, facilitating efficient burrowing and locomotion.

Employs an accessory boring organ to secrete acids that soften prey shells, allowing its raspy radula to drill a neat circular hole.

Mixes sand grains with mucus to create a unique, flexible collar-shaped structure that safely houses and protects its eggs.

Measurements & details

Length: 800000015+ cm
Weight: 0.2+ kg
Lifespan: 500000014+ years
Clutch Size: 100000010000000+
Incubation: 300000050+ days

Diet & Feeding

They are active predators of bivalves, locating them under the sand and using their radula to drill into the shells to consume the soft tissue inside.

Age differences: Juveniles may feed on microscopic algae and small detritus, but rapidly shift to hunting small bivalves as they mature.

Primary Foods

Butter Clams
Pacific Littleneck Clams
Mussels
Other marine gastropods

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Butter Clam

Saxidomus gigantea

Preys actively on this common bivalve by drilling a precise hole in its shell.

eaten by

Sunflower Sea Star

Pycnopodia helianthoides

The moon snail is actively hunted and consumed by this multi-armed sea star.

hunts

Pacific Razor Clam

Siliqua patula

Commonly targeted prey which the snail stalks and drills under sandy substrates.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Lewis'S Moon Snail?

The easiest way to identify Lewis'S Moon Snail is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Lewis'S Moon Snail?

800000015+ cm

How much does Lewis'S Moon Snail weigh?

0.2+ kg

How long does Lewis'S Moon Snail live?

500000014+ years

What does Lewis'S Moon Snail eat?

They are active predators of bivalves, locating them under the sand and using their radula to drill into the shells to consume the soft tissue inside.

Where is Lewis'S Moon Snail usually found?

Found in sandy or muddy intertidal and shallow subtidal zones along coastal beaches, bays, and estuaries.

How does Lewis'S Moon Snail hunt?

Foraging

How many eggs does Lewis'S Moon Snail lay?

100000010000000+