Gastropods | Gastropoda

Gastropods refer to invertebrates under the class Gastropoda. This class is represented by slugs and snails that live in various environments such as land, freshwater, and oceans. These animals are scavengers, hence a host to various disease-transmitting pathogens. Though they have a distasteful look, some are a source of food and their shells can be used as ornaments in the making of jewelry. Gastropods have no hearing hence use sensory organs like the eyes, olfactory organs, and mechanoreceptors for detecting motion. Gastropods move through creeping using a muscular foot which in some species is extremely specialized for swimming or burrowing.

What do gastropods eat?

Gastropods usually have a variety of diets and thus the food they eat ranges a lot. Some gastropods species eat algae from the rocks along the ocean floor while others may feed on large marine plants such as kelp. Some gastropods are bottom feeders and search the ocean floor for food.

Where do gastropods live?

Gastropods live in both terrestrial and marine environments, but most species of gastropods live in bodies of water all around the world. Some gastropod species live in coral reef habitats, but generally gastropods are considered one of the most diverse species in their habitats.

How do gastropods reproduce?

The way gastropods reproduce depends highly from one group to another as gastropods are a diverse group of animals. The majority of gastropods reproduce through internal fertilization. Gastropods are also capable of being either male, female, or hermaphrodites which gives them their unique reproduction system.

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5.91”-15.35” | 15-39 cm
9.45”-23.62” | 24-60 cm
15”-39” | 38-99 cm
15-31 lb | 6.8-14 kg
1 year
Black Sea Hare
39.000
60.000
99.000
14.000
1.00
5800
GUIDE
3D
Black Sea Hare
.55”-.98” | 1.4-2.5 cm
.59”-1.18” | 1.5-3 cm
3.15”-5.91” | 8-15 cm
1-2 years
Black Slug
2.500
3.000
15.000
2.00
2900
GUIDE
3D
Black Slug
2.36”-3.15” | 6-8 cm
3.94”-4.53” | 10-11.5 cm
7.87”-9.84” | 20-25 cm
2-3 years
California Mussel
8.000
11.500
25.000
3.00
550
GUIDE
3D
California Mussel
.43”-1.06” | 1.1-2.7 cm
.43”-1.06” | 1.1-2.7 cm
.63”-1.5” | 1.6-3.8 cm
4-10 years
Common Periwinkle
2.700
2.700
3.800
10.00
3500
GUIDE
3D
Common Periwinkle
1.85”-2.56” | 4.7-6.5 cm
1.57”-2.36” | 4-6 cm
3.15”-4.33” | 8-11 cm
.11-.22 lb | .05-.1 kg
10-15 years
Common Whelk
6.500
6.000
11.000
0.100
15.00
2950
GUIDE
3D
Common Whelk
9.5”-2.6” | 2.4-6.6 cm
1.77”-4.92” | 4.5-12.5 cm
3”-8” | 7.6-20.3 cm
.88-1.98 lb | .4-.9 kg
10-20 years
Eastern Oyster
6.600
12.500
20.300
0.900
20.00
2000
GUIDE
3D
Eastern Oyster
.98”-1.77” | 2.5-4.5 cm
.98”-1.57” | 2.5-4 cm
1.97”-3.54” | 5-9 cm
.015-.03 lb | .007-.015 kg
2-5 years
Garden Snail
4.500
4.000
9.000
0.015
5.00
7100
GUIDE
3D
Garden Snail
3.46”-5.12” | 8.8-13 cm
3.54”-4.72” | 9-12 cm
7.87”-11.81” | 20-30 cm (Overall)
.44-1 lb | .2-.45 kg
5-9 years
Giant African Snail
13.000
12.000
30.000
0.450
9.00
10800
GUIDE
3D
Giant African Snail
3.15”-5.51” | 8-14 cm
3.15”-5.91” | 8-15 cm
5”-9” | 12.7-22.9 cm
.88-1.98 lb | .4-.9 kg
10-15 years
Knobbed Whelk
14.000
15.000
22.900
0.900
15.00
860
GUIDE
3D
Knobbed Whelk
.39”-.79” | 1-2 cm
.55”-1.02” | 1.4-2.6 cm
3.94”-7.87” | 10-20 cm
2-4 years
Leopard Slug
2.000
2.600
20.000
4.00
8200
GUIDE
3D
Leopard Slug
1.57”-8.27” | 4-21 cm
1.57”-8.27” | 4-21 cm
2.5”-16” | 6.4-40.6 cm
1.54-1.98 lb | .7-.9 kg
10-15 years
Lightning Whelk
21.000
21.000
40.600
0.900
15.00
1400
GUIDE
3D
Lightning Whelk
4.33”-9.06” | 11-23 cm
5.12”-9.84” | 13-25 cm
6”-12” | 15.2-30.5 cm
3-5 lb | 1.36-2.27 kg
20-40 years
Queen Conch
23.000
25.000
30.500
2.270
40.00
4300
GUIDE
3D
Queen Conch
1.57”-3.15” | 4-8 cm
3.94”-7.87” | 10-20 cm
5”-10” | 12.7-25.4 cm
1-2 lb | .45-.91 kg
30-40 years
White Abalone
8.000
20.000
25.400
0.910
40.00
790
GUIDE
3D
White Abalone
Knobbed Whelk (Busycon carica)
Comparison drawing of the Knobbed Whelk compared to other gastropods

The Knobbed Whelk (Busycon carica) is a large predatory sea snail species native to the North Atlantic coast of North America, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to northern Florida. The shell is thick and strong with six clockwise coils, and the surface is sculpted with fine striations with a ring of knob-like projections that protrude from the widest part of the coil. The color can vary from ivory to pale gray, and the large aperture is orange. On shallow water Knobbed Whelks prey on oysters, clams, and other marine bivalves.

Knobbed Whelks have a length between 5”-9” (12.7-22.9 cm), width from 3.15”-5.91” (8-15 cm), height of 3.15”-5.51” (8-14 cm), and weight in the range of .88-1.98 lb (.4-.9 kg). The typical lifespan of the Knobbed Whelk is 10-15 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Knobbed Whelk viewed from the front, side, and top
The Knobbed Whelk (Busycon carica) is a large predatory sea snail species native to the North Atlantic coast of North America, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to northern Florida. The shell is thick and strong with six clockwise coils, and the surface is sculpted with fine striations.

Knobbed Whelks have a length between 5”-9” (12.7-22.9 cm), width from 3.15”-5.91” (8-15 cm), height of 3.15”-5.51” (8-14 cm), and weight in the range of .88-1.98 lb (.4-.9 kg). The typical lifespan of the Knobbed Whelk is 10-15 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Knobbed Whelk viewed from the front, side, and top
Knobbed Whelk (Busycon carica)
Height:
3.15”-5.51” | 8-14 cm
Width:
3.15”-5.91” | 8-15 cm
Length:
5”-9” | 12.7-22.9 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.88-1.98 lb | .4-.9 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Busycon carica
Lifespan
10-15 years

Drawings include:

Knobbed Whelk side elevation, front, top

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California Mussel (Mytilus californianus)
Comparison drawing of the California Mussel compared to other gastropods

The California Mussel (Mytilus californianus) is an edible mussel and a marine bivalve mollusk. They are endemic to the west coast of North America, as they occur from northern Mexico to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They like high salinity, low sediment conditions on rocky coasts. California Mussels are often found clustered together in large aggregations. Their shells are thick and the coloration is blue with a heavy brown periostracum. The beaks of the shell are often eroded, and the inner surface is blue and lightly pearly. The flesh of the mussel is orange.

California Mussels have a length between 7.87”-9.84” (20-25 cm), width from 3.94”-4.53” (10-11.5 cm), and height of 2.36”-3.15” (6-8 cm). The typical lifespan of the California Mussel is 2-3 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the California Mussel viewed from the front, side, and top
The California Mussel (Mytilus californianus) is an edible mussel and a marine bivalve mollusk. They are endemic to the west coast of North America, as they occur from northern Mexico to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They like high salinity, low sediment conditions on rocky coasts.

California Mussels have a length between 7.87”-9.84” (20-25 cm), width from 3.94”-4.53” (10-11.5 cm), and height of 2.36”-3.15” (6-8 cm). The typical lifespan of the California Mussel is 2-3 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the California Mussel viewed from the front, side, and top
California Mussel (Mytilus californianus)
Height:
2.36”-3.15” | 6-8 cm
Width:
3.94”-4.53” | 10-11.5 cm
Length:
7.87”-9.84” | 20-25 cm
Depth:
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Mytilus californianus
Lifespan
2-3 years

Drawings include:

California Mussel side elevation, front, top

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Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum)
Scale illustration of an average Common Whelk with compared to other gastropods

The Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) is a large edible marine gastropod. They occupy the Northern Atlantic along the shores of the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Norway, Iceland, some Arctic islands, and parts of North America as far south as New Jersey. The Common Whelk has a low tolerance for low salinities, and they prefer colder temperatures, as they cannot survive at temperatures above 29 degrees Celsius. The shell is ovate-conical and comes in pale, white, yellow, or red variations. It is covered in a bright yellow-brown periostracum, and the spire has seven or eight whorls.

Common Whelks have a length between 3.15”-4.33” (8-11 cm), width from 1.57”-2.36” (4-6 cm), height of 1.85”-2.56” (4.7-6.5 cm), and weight in the range of .11-.22 lb (.05-.1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Whelk is 10-15 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Common Whelk seen from the side, front, and top
The Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) is a large edible marine gastropod. They occupy the Northern Atlantic along the shores of the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Norway, Iceland, some Arctic islands, and parts of North America as far south as New Jersey.

Common Whelks have a length between 3.15”-4.33” (8-11 cm), width from 1.57”-2.36” (4-6 cm), height of 1.85”-2.56” (4.7-6.5 cm), and weight in the range of .11-.22 lb (.05-.1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Whelk is 10-15 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Common Whelk seen from the side, front, and top
Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum)
Height:
1.85”-2.56” | 4.7-6.5 cm
Width:
1.57”-2.36” | 4-6 cm
Length:
3.15”-4.33” | 8-11 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.11-.22 lb | .05-.1 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Buccinum undatum
Lifespan
10-15 years

Drawings include:

Common Whelk side elevation, front, top

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Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum)
Scale illustration of an average Lightning Whelk with compared to other gastropods

The Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum) is an edible marine gastropod mollusk. They are found in the sandy substrate of shallow embayments of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and southeastern North America, from New Jersey south to Florida. As a large predatory sea snail, it mostly eats bivalves by using its proboscis to ingest the soft parts. They are active during the daytime, and when feeding on mudflats, they prefer to stay in deeper waters. Native Americans have used Lightning Whelks for food, and used their shells for tools, ornaments, and to make jewelry. The species is the state shell of Texas.

Lightning Whelks have a length between 2.5”-16” (6.4-40.6 cm), width from 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), height of 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), and weight in the range of 1.54-1.98 lb (.7-.9 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lightning Whelk is 10-15 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Lightning Whelk seen from the side, front, and top
The Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum) is an edible marine gastropod mollusk. They are found in the sandy substrate of shallow embayments of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and southeastern North America, from New Jersey south to Florida.

Lightning Whelks have a length between 2.5”-16” (6.4-40.6 cm), width from 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), height of 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), and weight in the range of 1.54-1.98 lb (.7-.9 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lightning Whelk is 10-15 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Lightning Whelk seen from the side, front, and top
Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum)
Height:
1.57”-8.27” | 4-21 cm
Width:
1.57”-8.27” | 4-21 cm
Length:
2.5”-16” | 6.4-40.6 cm
Depth:
Weight:
1.54-1.98 lb | .7-.9 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Sinistrofulgur perversum
Lifespan
10-15 years

Drawings include:

Lightning Whelk side elevation, front, top

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Giant African Snail (Achatina achatina)
Scale illustration of an average Giant African Snail with compared to other gastropods

The Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica) is a large land snail that has been a significant cause in pest issues around the world. As a voracious feeder, the Giant African Snail eats a wide range of plant material, and it is a vector for plant pathogens which causes severe damage to agricultural crops and native plants. The species thrives in many types of habitats with mild climates. Physically, they have a conical shell, and the coloration is highly variable and dependent on diet. Usually it is brown, and the shell is banded.

Giant African Snails have an overall length between 7.87”-11.81” (20-30 cm), width from 3.54”-4.72” (9-12 cm), overall height of 3.46”-5.12” (8.8-13 cm), and weight in the range of .44-1 lb (.2-.45 kg). Their shell length is commonly between 5.9”-8” (15-20.3 cm) with a height of 2.75”-3.94” (7-10 cm). The typical lifespan of the Giant African Snail is 5-9 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Giant African Snail seen from the side, front, and top
The Giant African Snail (Achatina fulica) is a large land snail that has been a significant cause in pest issues around the world. As a voracious feeder, the Giant African Snail eats a wide range of plant material, and it is a vector for plant pathogens which causes severe damage to agriculture.

Giant African Snails have an overall length between 7.87”-11.81” (20-30 cm), width from 3.54”-4.72” (9-12 cm), overall height of 3.46”-5.12” (8.8-13 cm), and weight in the range of .44-1 lb (.2-.45 kg). Their shell length is commonly between 5.9”-8” (15-20.3 cm) with a height of 2.75”-3.94” (7-10 cm). The typical lifespan of the Giant African Snail is 5-9 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Giant African Snail seen from the side, front, and top
Giant African Snail (Achatina achatina)
Height:
3.46”-5.12” | 8.8-13 cm
Width:
3.54”-4.72” | 9-12 cm
Length:
7.87”-11.81” | 20-30 cm (Overall)
Depth:
Weight:
.44-1 lb | .2-.45 kg
Area:

Shell Height: 2.75”-3.94” | 7-10 cm

Shell Length: 5.9”-8” | 15-20.3 cm

Scientific Name
Achatina achatina
Lifespan
5-9 years

Drawings include:

Giant African Snail side elevation, front, top

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