Sea slug with a shell?

[tinyfish]

Onchidiidae are a family of small, air-breathing sea (and land) slugs. At least that is what it looks like to me. Unfortunately it is dead.

Although the shell measures a tiny 17cm, the soft part of the animal was at least 3 times that when in motion. It was not until I read about it today that I understood it to be an air- breather. It would rest above the surface of my sea grass tank.

Here are some pictures of this amazing animal. Please note that the hind end of the foot is missing.

 

[pagojoe]

That's a Stomatella snail (Trochidae) rather than an onchidiid. It's missing the back of its foot because it has the ability to autotomize it, sort of like a lizard losing its tail, in an attempt to escape a perceived predator. It's an intertidal marine snail.

Cheers,



Don

 

[tinyfish]

Thank you. They look similar to me but I am no bioligist. Still a cool snail.