Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767)
Red-mouthed rock shell
Stramonita haemastoma
photo by Pillon, Roberto

Family:  Muricidae (purpuras, murex and rock shells)
Max. size:  8 cm NG (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 538 m
Distribution:  Southeast Pacific, Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:  Shell solid, elongate. Shell sculpture of fine spiral lines with weak axial growth lines. Last whorls sometimes with nodules on shoulder. Colour: variable, light grey, yellowish, or tan, usually mottled or checkered with darker brown, greyish, or orange marks.
Biology:  On all kinds of hard substrates, intertidal to subtidal. Diet: oyster and mussel beds (Ref. 355). Common on subtidal rocks (Ref. 438 and 417).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 

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