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Nature Field Guide

Sea Snails & Limpets

Explore wildlife, plants and trees. Learn what to look for and where to find them.

All Nature

10 profiles

Nature Field Guide

Apple Rocksnail

Spanish name
Caracol de roca
Scientific name
Vasula melones
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Rocky Shore

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

An apple rocksnail lives among the rocks of the lower shore.

Identification

Key Features of the Apple Rocksnail

  • Coiled rocksnail shell.

  • Compare its broad outline, spire and opening with an identified reference.

  • Older labels may use the name Thais melones.

Habitat & range

Lower rocky intertidal zone.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

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Nature Field Guide

Eastern Pacific Giant Conch

Spanish name
Cambute del Pacífico
Scientific name
Titanostrombus galeatus
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Coastal Seafloor

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A large conch connects marine nature with Costa Rica’s cultural history.

Identification

Key Features of the Eastern Pacific Giant Conch

  • Large, thick shell.

  • Adult shells have an expanded outer lip and a short spire.

  • Look for older scientific names when comparing historical references.

Habitat & range

Pacific coastal marine habitat; local encounters require confirmation.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

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Nature Field Guide

Funiculate Nerite

Spanish name
Nerita
Scientific name
Nerita funiculata
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Rocky Shore

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A small, rounded nerite invites a close look at its shell pattern.

Identification

Key Features of the Funiculate Nerite

  • Small rounded shell.

  • Very low spire and a broad, D-shaped opening.

  • Fine ridges and dark-and-pale patterns may be visible.

Habitat & range

Rocky intertidal shore.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

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Nature Field Guide

Giant False Limpet

Spanish name
Lapa
Scientific name
Siphonaria gigas
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Rocky Shore

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A cap-shaped shell shelters a snail on the rocky shore.

Identification

Key Features of the Giant False Limpet

  • Single cap-shaped shell rather than two hinged halves.

  • Look at the shell outline and raised top.

  • Compare with a keyhole limpet; a top opening is an important difference.

Habitat & range

Rocky intertidal habitat.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

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Nature Field Guide

Greenish Keyhole Limpet

Spanish name
Lapa de agujero
Scientific name
Fissurella virescens
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Rocky Shore

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Look for the opening near the top of this cap-shaped shell.

Identification

Key Features of the Greenish Keyhole Limpet

  • Cap-shaped shell with an opening near the top.

  • Ribs radiate toward the edge.

  • An intact underside and species reference help with confirmation.

Habitat & range

Rocky coastal habitat.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

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Nature Field Guide

Grinning Tun

Spanish name
Cambute de lodo
Scientific name
Malea ringens
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Coastal Seafloor

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A rounded shell with a tooth-lined opening explains its memorable name.

Identification

Key Features of the Grinning Tun

  • Rounded, inflated shell.

  • Ribs run around the shell.

  • Strong ridges along the opening create a tooth-like appearance.

Habitat & range

Shallow coastal marine waters; a washed-up shell does not reveal its original depth.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

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Nature Field Guide

Pacific Crown Conch

Spanish name
Cambute negro
Scientific name
Melongena patula
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Coastal Seafloor

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A heavy shell may carry a row of short shoulder spines.

Identification

Key Features of the Pacific Crown Conch

  • Large pear-like shell with a low spire.

  • Short shoulder spines may be present or absent.

  • Broad opening and a short channel at its lower end.

Habitat & range

Coastal marine bottom habitat; confirm the exact local site with a guide.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

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Nature Field Guide

Rough Periwinkle

Spanish name
Caracol litoral
Scientific name
Echinolittorina aspera
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Rocky Shore

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A tiny pointed shell can be an excellent observation challenge.

Identification

Key Features of the Rough Periwinkle

  • Small coiled shell with a pointed spire.

  • A large final whorl gives a compact outline.

  • Color and surface texture vary; use several features together.

Habitat & range

Rocky intertidal shore.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

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Nature Field Guide

Rough-ribbed Nerite

Spanish name
Burgado
Scientific name
Nerita scabricosta
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Rocky Shore

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

A sturdy, dark shell with rough ridges belongs to this rocky-shore snail.

Identification

Key Features of the Rough-ribbed Nerite

  • Rounded shell with a low spire.

  • Dark gray exterior and rough spiral ribs.

  • Check the opening and overall shape against an identified reference.

Habitat & range

Upper rocky intertidal shore.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

View full profile →

Nature Field Guide

Short-toothed Rocksnail

Spanish name
Caracol de roca
Scientific name
Acanthais brevidentata
Sea Snails & Limpets · Seashells Rocky Shore

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

This rocky-shore snail offers a chance to study the shell opening.

Identification

Key Features of the Short-toothed Rocksnail

  • A coiled shell belonging to the rocksnail family.

  • Record the shape of the spire and shell opening.

  • Use an identified Acanthais reference for species-level comparison.

Habitat & range

Rocky intertidal habitat.

Conservation & care

Observe and photograph shells where they are. Leave living animals, occupied shells and empty shells in place. Do not pry animals from rocks, dig in mangroves or put fingers into shell openings. Explore with an adult or guide, follow site rules and stay clear of surf and slippery rocks.

View full profile →

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