Widemouth Rocksnail
NameWidemouth Rocksnail
Scientific NameStramonita haemastoma
Common NameWidemouth Rocksnail
FamilyMuricidae
GenusStramonita
Specieshaemastoma
Geographic DistributionAtlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, West Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitatintertidal
Shell Shapeconical
Average Size (mm)40
Identifying FeaturesThick, heavy shell with strong axial ribs and spiral cords, often forming prominent nodules or blunt spines, especially on the shoulder of the body whorl. The aperture is wide and oval, sometimes with a tooth-like projection on the outer lip. The siphonal canal is short.
Raritycommon
Author Citation(Linnaeus, 1767)
Description
A robust, predatory marine gastropod characterized by its thick, nodulose shell and wide aperture. It is typically found in rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal environments, where it preys on other mollusks. The shell in the image exhibits a dark, purplish-brown coloration and a textured surface with prominent axial and spiral sculpturing, often forming blunt nodules.
