Jewel of the Ocean

The conical shell coloured shiny gold with iridescent purple rings is the trademark of the Purple-ringed Topsnail. The snail itself is bright orange with black spots and even without its shell is very striking but the shell is the true jewel.

These beautiful snails are typically found at low intertidal to subtidal levels. Omnivorous, they feed on kelp, detritus, diatoms, copepods, hydroids, and bryozoans.

If your diving any where in the Pacific Northwest or as far south as California keep your eyes peeled for this amazingly colourful little creatures.

Thanks for reading.

Scott

For more images and stories - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/