Dogwinkle - Nucella lapillus

Variable in shape and color; aperture is large with flaring lips.

Fun fact: Dogwinkles that have fed on barnacles are whitish, while those that have fed on mussels are brownish or purple. Also, they secrete a purple dye, which was used by Native Americans.

Habitat: Tidal pool during low tide

comments (4)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Woahhh! Really beautiful! And interesting about the dye! Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Definitely interesting! Although, I would think that using berries for dye would be easier and less gross. Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    Maybe the staying power of this dye is better though? Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Maybe! Plus, it is kinda hard to get plants to dye fabric purple, especially to achieve Tyrean purple, which is similar to the color that these snails provide (I think). Posted 5 years ago

The Dog whelk

The dog whelk, dogwhelk, or Atlantic dogwinkle is a species of predatory sea snail, a carnivorous marine gastropod in the family Muricidae, the rock snails.

Info 7 0

Similar species: Neogastropoda

Species identified by Christine Young