Description: This periwinkle reaches around 8 mm in length and is highly variable in colour ranging from yellow-white, green, red or brown through to black. The shell has 6-9 whorls which are separated by deep grooves, which make it feel rough to the touch, and is sharply pointed at the apex.

Habitat: Rock crevices and cracks from mid to upper shore.

Distribution: Found on all coasts around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with young Littorina littorea.

Key Identification Features:

• 6-9 whorls.
• Whorls are separated by deep grooves.
• Apex is sharp point.

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

iNaturalist: Littorina saxatilis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Littorina saxatilis

WoRMS: Littorina saxatilis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Littorina saxatilis (Olivi, 1792). AphiaID: 140264.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Caenogastropoda; Littorinimorpha; Littorinoidea; Littorinidae; Littorininae; Littorina