"Lambis digitata"
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Family: Strombidae
Genus: Lambis
Species: L. digitata
Scientific Name:
Lambis digitata
There are many species of Spider Conchs throughout the world, each with their own identifying peculiarities. The species Lambis digitata (L. digitata) is one of the more aesthetically pleasing species. Though finding a specimen tends to be the rare event it does enjoy a fairly wide distribution, being found from Africa to the Samoan Islands.
Aside from its colorations in a variety of tans, creams and browns, this beautiful shell can be distinguished from it's cousins in the Lambis genus by two characteristics. First the surface of the aperture is ribbed. Other species have a smooth aperture. The aperture ribs are generally two-toned with white peaks and dark brown valleys. Secondly this is the only species of Lambis that has a branched first "finger."
Typically L. digitata inhabits sandy and pebbly bottoms in shallow water from 5-30 meters deep. The snail itself is herbivorous and generally grows to about 120mm although rarely specimens have been found that exceed 180mm.
Aside from its colorations in a variety of tans, creams and browns, this beautiful shell can be distinguished from it's cousins in the Lambis genus by two characteristics. First the surface of the aperture is ribbed. Other species have a smooth aperture. The aperture ribs are generally two-toned with white peaks and dark brown valleys. Secondly this is the only species of Lambis that has a branched first "finger."
Typically L. digitata inhabits sandy and pebbly bottoms in shallow water from 5-30 meters deep. The snail itself is herbivorous and generally grows to about 120mm although rarely specimens have been found that exceed 180mm.
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