Aleutian Moonsnail
NameAleutian Moonsnail
Scientific NameEuspira pallida
Common NameAleutian Moonsnail
FamilyNaticidae
GenusEuspira
Speciespallida
Geographic DistributionNorth Pacific Ocean, including the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Alaska, and extending south along the North American coast to California. Also found in the North Atlantic.
Habitatsubtidal
Shell Shapeglobose
Average Size (mm)20
Identifying FeaturesDistinguished by its smooth, globose shell and the very large, expansive foot characteristic of moonsnails, which often appears covered in sand grains. It has a horny operculum.
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Broderip & Sowerby, 1829)
Description
A marine gastropod characterized by a globose, smooth shell, often pale in color. The animal possesses a remarkably large, fleshy foot that can almost entirely envelop the shell, which it uses for burrowing and locomotion on sandy substrates. Its soft body is typically translucent and speckled.
