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Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Potamididae
Bazillion snail
Batillaria zonalis
Family Batillariidae
updated Aug 10
Where seen? This snail is commonly encountered in large numbers on our Southern shores. In shallow sandy and slightly muddy areas which are sheltered from strong waves and currents, including the bottom of man-made lagoons, usually near the mid water mark. It is said that they can reach densities of hundreds of snails per square metre.

Features: 2-3cm. Shell conical with pattern of white spiralling lines with finer lines and large bumps. Shell opening oval, large, flared with upturned spout at the tip. Operculum made of a horn-like material with several circular whorls that are usually quite visible. The animal has a mottled body and fine bars on its proboscis and thick tentacles.

Tanah Merah, May 10
What does it eat? It eats detritus and grazes on the microscopic algae that grow on the bottom.

It was previously placed in the Family Potamididae.

The snails are often found in the bazillions.

St. John's Island, May 07

Close up of shell opening and operculum

Upperside
Bazillion snails on Singapore shores

Tanah Merah, Dec 09

Tanah Merah, Dec 09

Sisters Islands, Feb 06

Upturned siphonal canal near the opening.

Seen floating on the water surface.
Tanah Merah, Jun 09

Body is mottled, tentacles have fine bars.
Tanah Merah, Dec 10

Tanah Merah, Dec 11

more photos of bazillion snails on Singapore shores
northern shores
southern shores part 1 | part 2
Family Batillariidae recorded for Singapore
 from Tan Siong Kiat and Henrietta P. M. Woo, 2010 Preliminary Checklist of The Molluscs of Singapore.
  Family Batillariidae
  Batillaria zonalis (Bazillion snails)
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