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| shelled snails text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > Family Volutidae |
| Noble
volute Cymbiola nobilis Family Volutidae updated Mar 09
Where seen? This large, beautifully marked snail is sometimes encountered on sandy areas near seagrasses and coral rubble on some of our shores. It is more commonly seen moving above the surface at night, and is usually buried during the day. According to the Singapore Red Data Book, this beautiful snail is restricted to our part of the world, in particular, Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Features: 12-20cm. Thick heavy shell orange, yellow or beige with red or brown zig-zag patterns. A wide variety of patterns can be seen, although in some, the pattern may be obscured by encrusting growths. The fleshy body is black with bright orange or yellow spots. It has a long siphon. Empty shells of dead noble volutes are quickly taken over by large hermit crabs. Baby nobles: Mama noble volutes lay large egg capsules. Each capsule about 10cm long, oval with angular bumps, semi-transparent white to beige or yellowish. The capsules are usually stacked up to form a cylindrical, generally oval shape and the entire assembly attached to a hard, embedded object such as coral rubble. Human uses: Unfortunately, this beautiful and special animal is collected for food and its attractive shell. Status and threats: The Noble volute is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore due to habitat loss. It was previously abundant in Singapore but is now considered vulnerable due to habitat degradation and overcollection for food and for its attractive shell. Like other creatures of the intertidal zone, they are affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Over-collection can also have an impact on local populations. |
 Chek Jawa, Jun 05  Underside  Burrowing with siphon sticking out |
It is among the large snails you might see on our shores.
 With long crack along its shell. Pulau Sekudu, Jan 06 |
 Changi, Jun 06 |
Noble volutes on Singapore shores
 Laying eggs Pulau Semakau, Mar 07 |
 With egg capsule Beting Bronok, Jun 03 |
 Chek Jawa, Dec 07 |
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