Cassis madagascariensis (emperor helmet snail) 1 (24383291282)

Description:

Description: Cassis madagascariensis Lamarck, 1822 - emperor helmet snail (oblique apical view) (public display, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Island, Florida, USA) The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most gastropods have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores. From museum signage: "[The emperor helmet is the] largest helmet species and also one of the largest gastropods in the world, reaching around 35 cm (14 inches) in length. Thick, contrasting layers of dark-brown and alabaster colors make the emperor helmet one of the preferred shells for cameo carving. Living helmet shells feed on sea urchins and sand dollars." Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda, Cassidae More info. at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassis_madagascariensis. Date: 4 January 2016, 12:20. Source: Cassis madagascariensis (emperor helmet snail) 1. Author: James St. John.