The article discusses how combing strand lines can yield shells, particularly cockles, with neat holes drilled into the umbo, which is where the moon snail, Euspira catena, attacks. These precision holes, often appealing to children for crafting, hide a darker reality: through these holes, the snail paralyzes, liquefies, and consumes its prey.
Moon snails, which belong to the family Nazidae, appear harmless and are often found alongside dinner waste. They have smooth, shiny shells with decorative patterns and a pink foot that helps them dig through sand. Snails sense their prey through waste and moisture, approaching them and using a concealed proboscis to attack.
The snail’s feeding mechanism involves a toothed organ that scrapes the victim’s shell, enhanced by a mixture of hydrochloric acid and enzymes to aid the grinding process, which can take days. This method may be strategic, allowing the snail to avoid competition from crabs and shrimp that could steal its meal.
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