Red-mouthed Dog Winkle
NameRed-mouthed Dog Winkle
Scientific NameOcenebra erinaceus
Common NameRed-mouthed Dog Winkle
FamilyMuricidae
GenusOcenebra
Specieserinaceus
Geographic DistributionNortheast Atlantic Ocean, including the British Isles, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitatintertidal
Shell Shapeconical
Average Size (mm)30
Identifying FeaturesKey identifying features include the spiny or nodulose shell sculpture, a prominent siphonal canal, and most notably, the vibrant orange to red coloration of the aperture's interior. The animal's body is dark and mottled.
Raritycommon
Author CitationLinnaeus, 1758
Description
The Red-mouthed Dog Winkle is a predatory marine gastropod characterized by its robust, spiny or nodulose shell and a distinctive bright orange to reddish-orange aperture interior. The exterior of the shell is often mottled with various shades of grey, brown, green, or purple, and can be encrusted with other marine organisms. The animal itself is dark and mottled, extending a prominent siphon. It is typically found on rocky substrates in intertidal and subtidal zones.
