Oyster shell and Snail

Scientific Name: Crassostrea gigas (Oyster) and Littorina sp. (Snail)

Category: shell

Oyster shell and Snail

Brief Description

A fragment of an oyster shell being held, with a small periwinkle snail attached to the edge.

Characteristics

The oyster shell is thick, calcified, and white to grey with a pearly interior. The small snail is conical with a spiral shell, often dark or checkered.

Habitat

Intertidal zones, rocky shores, and estuaries.

When to Find It

Year-round, best observed during low tide.

Conservation Status

N/A

Ecological Role

Oysters filter water and create reefs that provide habitat; snails graze on algae, controlling its growth on rocks and shells.

Easily Confused With

Clam shells (usually smoother/symmetrical) and larger whelks (larger than periwinkles).

Observation Tips

Look for fragments on pebbly beaches; check the undersides of shells at low tide for living snails.

Interesting Facts

Oysters are ecosystem engineers that can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.