Polynices lewisii

The Moon Snail

Phylum Mollusca
Class Gastropoda
Order Mesagastropoda
Family Naticidae
Subfamily Polinicinae
Genus Polynices
Species lewisii

Description: 12 cm in height; color is light brown; shell made up almost entirely on one large whorl with approximately 5 small whorls forming a low spiral; shell can be almost completely enveloped by foot.

Habitat: Found on sand and gravel beaches that are mixed with mud.

Natural History: Although this Moon Snail is carnivorous in its adult stage of life, during its first few months it feeds exclusively on algae. Once an adult it plows through the sediment searching for clams during low tide, but not until covered by the incoming tide. When a clam is found it drills a hole in one of its valves and sucks out the clamsÕ tissues. P. staminea, the Littleneck Clam, is its main source of food, especially larger clams of that species. P. lewisii is abundant during the Spring and Summer when it reproduces. Its egg casings can be found on the beach during this time. They look like sand collars and are made by cementing sand and eggs with a sticky mucous.