Hawkwing conch
Strombus raninus
Gmelin, 1791
Description:
The outer surface of the shell is mottled brown or reddish in color, but can be overgrown by algae or debris. The outline is a short conical spire with two spikes on the last whorl. The last whorl is by far the largest.
The inside of the shell is reddish colored. The head of the living animal has a large proboscis and two eyestalks. The opening can be closed off with a long, claw-like plate, called the operculum.
When disturbed, the animal will retreat into the shell, closing it with the operculum.
Size: the shell can reach up to 8 cm.
Habitat:
It burrows in the sandy bottoms around seagrass beds and patchy reefs.
Depth: ranges from 1 m down to 15 m.
Distribution:
Occasional all over the Caribbean.
Remarks:
In most countries it is illegal to bring back these shells from holidays.