Crepidula nummaria

The Slipper Snail

Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Subclass Prosobranchia
Order Mesagastropoda
Family Calyptraeidae
Genus Crepidula
Species nummaria

Description: 3 to 5 cm across; color whitish to pinkish but shaggy periostracum is a yellowish-brown; oval; apex turned to one side, almost convex and curved to match attachment site; the underside of the shell has a shelf like deck which forms a niche for the animal to with draw into.

Habitat: Found attached to rocks, shells, and other hard objects, at the low-tide line or deeper.

Natural History: This snail remains in one place for most of its existance with its shell conforming to fit where it has chosen to live and grow. It feeds by filtering water through its gills which are covered with mucous and moves the food particles to its mouth by way of its cilia. The Slipper Snail resembles limpets but actually belongs to a more advanced group of molluscs.