Smooth Periwinkle - Littorina obtusata

There is so much variety with this species.

Habitat: Saltmarsh edge

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Beautiful! Is the variation random that you know of? Posted one year ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Yes and no. It seems to be a combination of diet, environmental conditions, and genetics. Apparently, they often choose to hang out on rocks that match their shell color. Posted one year ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Interesting. Once saw a documentary about a species of snail that would have color randomness as a defense strategy: predators this way cannot learn which one is safe to eat. Posted one year ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      That could be the same with this species too. Smart strategy! Posted one year ago

The Smooth Periwinkle

"Littorina obtusata", common name the flat periwinkle, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Littorinidae, the winkles or periwinkles.

Info 5 0

Similar species: Littorinimorpha

Species identified by Christine Young