Size: shell size between 80 mm and 150 mm.

 

Key Features: The largest of Horn snails, the heavy conical shell is actually beautifully marked but the patterns are usually hidden by mud and other encrusting animals. The outer lip is thin and not flared. Operculum small and circular. The animal is velvety black with a highly extendible proboscis. There is a third eye on its mantle margin, in addition to a pair of eyes at the tentacles. It can stay out of water for long periods of time.

 

Diet: feeds on detritus and algae.

 

Habitat:  found on exposed mudflats.

 

Conservation status: Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

 

Distribution in the GoK: reported along the coast of Chank, Noru, Bhaidar, Chusana, Ajad, Vudakuda, Goose, Dedeka-Mundeka and Beyt Dwarka region.

 

References:

Telescopium telescopium. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on June 16, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telescopium_telescopium

 

IUCN Red List. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/184812/0

 

Telescopium telescopium. In Reeflex , the Marine Aquarium Encyclopedia. Retrieved on June 16, 2014 from http://www.reeflex.net/tiere/2316_Telescopium_telescopium.htm

 

 

Photo Courtesy

H.Zell. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Horn Snail (Telescopium telescopium)