Checkered Periwinkle
Scientific Name: Littorina scutulata
Category: other
Brief Description
A small marine snail commonly found in the high and middle intertidal zones of the Pacific Northwest.
Characteristics
A small, smooth, elongated conical shell, usually dark brown or black with white checkered or spotted patterns. It typically grows to about 1 cm in length.
Habitat
Upper and middle intertidal rocky shores, often found in crevices or on rocks and shells during low tide.
When to Find It
Visible year-round, primarily during low tide.
Conservation Status
Common / Least Concern
Ecological Role
They are important grazers that feed on microfilm, algae, and diatoms on rock surfaces, helping to control algal growth.
Easily Confused With
Sitka Periwinkle (Littorina sitkana), which is more globose (round) and has more distinct spiral ridges.
Observation Tips
Look for them in the high tide line among rocks or inside the shells of larger dead mollusks. Handle gently and return to the water or damp rocks.
Interesting Facts
These snails can survive out of water for long periods during low tide by trapping moisture inside their shell with a trapdoor called an operculum.
User Notes
What is the little snail on the shell called, found on a Washington state beach