Snipe's Bill
NameSnipe's Bill
Scientific NameTibia fusus
Common NameSnipe's Bill
FamilyStrombidae
GenusTibia
Speciesfusus
Geographic DistributionIndo-Pacific region, including areas such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Habitatsubtidal
Shell Shapefusiform
Average Size (mm)Shells commonly range from 100 mm to 200 mm in length, with some exceptional specimens reaching up to 300 mm, largely due to the extended siphonal canal.
Identifying FeaturesThe most distinctive feature is its extremely long, straight, and narrow siphonal canal, which can be as long as or longer than the rest of the shell. Other features include a smooth or finely sculptured surface, a moderately high spire, and a relatively narrow aperture.
Rarityrare
Author CitationLinnaeus, 1758
Description
The image displays a marine gastropod shell, commonly known as the Snipe's Bill, partially embedded in a dark, sandy or silty seabed. This specimen is characterized by its exceptionally long, straight, and slender siphonal canal, which gives it its common name. The shell exhibits a moderately high spire and a somewhat fusiform body whorl. Its coloration appears to be a mottled brownish or grayish-brown, with subtle hints of reddish-orange visible around the aperture area and on parts of the spire. The shell is surrounded by numerous translucent, elongated structures, which are likely egg capsules, suggesting the presence of a living mollusk, possibly a female guarding its clutch.
