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Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Neritidae
Scaled nerite snail
Nerita histrio
Family Neritidae
updated Oct 10
Where seen? This snail with a scaly shell is sometimes seen on some of our rocky shores. The study by Tan & Clements (2008) found this snail on mangrove tree trunks and stilt roots; muddy rocks at coastal fringes of mangroves; among rocky rubble along edge of muddy sand flats; on breakwater rocks. Sites included: Sarimbun, Pulau Ubin, Pasir Ris, Sungei Loyang, Changi, Kallang Basin, Marina South, Sentosa, St. John's Island, Pulau Hantu, Tuas. This snail was previously known as Nerita squamulata.

Features: 2-3cm. Shell sturdy and rounded, the spire doesn't stick out. The shell is much rougher than other kinds of nerites as it has horizontal rows of tiny ridges. Shell colour and patterns are variable. The flat underside is white and smooth with several tiny 'teeth' near the shell opening, often with a brownish stain around the 'teeth'. Operculum pinkish evenly covered in tiny bumps. The animal has fine black stripes and long thin tentacles.

Sometimes confused with other similar nerites. Here's a comparison of these similar nerite snails and how to tell them apart.

Kusu Island, Mar 06

Tiny 'scales' on the shell.

Underside.

Tiny 'teeth' near the shell opening
often with a reddish stain.

Scaled nerite snails on Singapore shores

Lazarus Island, Dec 06

Lazarus Island, Dec 06

Tuas, May 07

more photos of scaled nerite snails on Singapore shores

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