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| shelled snails text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Nassariidae |
| Olive
whelk Nassarius olivaceus Family Nassariidae updated Oct 10 Where seen? This large, handsome whelk is usually seen alone on sandy and muddy areas near seagrasses and mangroves. Commonly seen especially on our Northern shores. Features: 3-4 cm. Largest of the commonly encountered whelks on our shores. Shell with close-set spiralling ridges near the front. Colour brown to olive green sometimes with a pale spiral around the shell. It can greatly extend its siphon, often more than the length of the shell. This snail has been seen burrowing just beneath the sand, with its siphon sticking out. The living animal is handsomely speckled. The operculum is small and thin. |
 Changi, Apr 05 |
 Siphon can be greatly extended. Changi, Jun 05 |
 Burrowing just beneath the sand with siphon sticking out. Changi, Aug 05 |
 Underside. |
Olive whelks on Singapore shores
 Changi, Aug 05  |
more photos of olive whelks on Singapore shores
Links
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Graham Brash, Singapore. 145 pp.|
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