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Turban snail

Turbo castanea

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Species Type:

Invertebrates

Common Name(s):

Turban snail

Size:

On average, these snails grow to 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) in length.

Diet:

Turban snails help keep their surroundings clean by eating large amounts of algae.

Range & Habitat:

In the western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, turban snails can be found near or under rocks.

Details:

These snails have spiral shaped shells with rows of beads and spines. The name “turbo,” derived from the Latin word for “spinning top,” refers to the snail’s characteristic shell shape, which resembles a top when viewed from above.  They can range from tan, brown and cream to red in color.