Species description: This predatory snail can reach up to 18 cm in size, making it larger than any of our native snails, and has a large, distinctive shell with an orange interior. The outside is usually brown-grey in colour and may have some dark veins visible running in lines around the shell. The spire of the shell is relatively short and squat. The aperture is large and there are some small teeth on the outer lip. There is a short siphonal canal which is open.

Habitat: Usually on or under soft sediments but can occasionally be found on hard surfaces. Recorded from around 3 m down to 20 m.

Distribution: There are a few records of dead shells from Britain, but the origin of these is not clear. Any records should be reported.

Similar Species: Small specimens could potentially be confused with Buccinum undatum but it has a tall spire, rather than the shorter more squat spire of Rapana venosa.

Key Identification Features:

• Large size.
• Orange interior.
• Short, squat spire.
• Large aperture with small teeth on outer lip.

Distribution Map from NBN: Rapana venosa at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Rapana venosa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Rapana venosa at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846). AphiaID: 140416.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Caenogastropoda; Neogastropoda; Muricoidea; Muricidae; Rapaninae; Rapana