Distinguishing Characteristics |
Gastropod (1 shell); shell spiral in shape, spire elongate, pointed; color tan to reddish brown; 3 spiral ribs on lower whorls; very fine axial ribs; young with whorls attached to each other, tightly coiled; older snails with lower whorls detached, spiraling worm-like; aperture squarish; siphonal canal absent. |
Similar Species |
Most similar to the white-tipped wormsnail (V. knorrii), but the upper whorls on the white-tipped are white. Turritellids are similart to the auger shells (Terebridae), but the circular aperture and lack of a siphonal canal distinguishes the turritellids from the terebrids. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bays, attached to rocks or on mud bottoms |
Maximum Size |
Tighter coils about 1.8 cm (3/4 in), with detached whorls about 8 cm (3 in) |
Other Common Names |
West Indian wormsnail |
Previous Scientific Names |
V. spirata |
Comments |
Has not been found live in Texas, but shells are common on the beach in south Texas. |