Tidepool Treasures: Jeweled Top Snail

Easily the coolest mollusk I have ever seen, the jeweled top snail (Calliostoma annulatum) is aptly-named, with its spiraled shell of iridescent orange and purple.  Contrasting with dark sea weeds and black turban snails, it almost doesn't even look real!


 I found this guy while exploring the tide pools around Point Pinos the other day, and was blown away by its amazing colors.  Photos don't really do justice to this amazing animal.


Jeweled top snails live in kelp forests from southeastern Alaska to Baja California.  Their preferred niche is in the middle of the forest, mid-stipe ("stipe" is marine biology-speak for what basically amounts to a seaweed stem), while related species prefer either higher or lower parts of the forest.  According to Monterey Bay Aquarium, each species knows its niche, and will climb back to its precise level in the forest after being knocked off.


Like other marine snails, jeweled top snails graze on algae, hydroids and bryozoans.  


A word about exploring and protecting fragile tidepool habitats:
- Tread carefully, move slowly, watch where you step, and try to step only on bare rock to avoid crushing animals or slipping on seaweeds.
- Never, ever take living animals or plants from tidepools.  Always touch carefully and gently, and put everything back exactly where you found it.  Many tidepool creatures are relatively sessile, and took a long time to find that perfect spot you just plucked them from!  Life in tidepools is difficult enough; don't put undue stress on the creatures that live there.
- Don't let your trash (or anything else!) fall into tidepools, and remove any human-made material that you find, especially things like plastic bags and fishing line.
- Watch tide charts and wave action; aim for low tide on a calm day.  Always be aware of the sea and the incoming tide, listen to the waves and don't turn your back on the ocean!



Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 17, 2020 at 2:09 PM

    What a beautiful creature, always a treat to find while tidepooling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Siera NystromNovember 17, 2020 at 7:27 PM

      Yes! I was blown away when I saw it! Thanks for reading!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2023 at 8:47 AM

    I love it! Your information really helped. PS I am doing a report on the jeweled top snail

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 5, 2023 at 1:49 PM

    I found one, too, in October while I was at Camp Keep. Mine had a hermit crab in it, guess he had found the best home, Lol.

    ReplyDelete

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