Description: This gastropod has a very distinctively-shaped shell with 8-10 whorls ending in a pointed apex, and a plate which spreads out towards the base/above the aperture. This plate resembles the foot of a bird with 5 blunt points. It reaches around 4.5 cm in height by up to 3 cm in width. The shell is sandy brown to light pink on the outside and pearly white on the inside.

Habitat: Soft sediment, especially mud or muddy sand, from the shallow sublittoral down to around 180 m.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species found in this area.

Key Identification Features:

• Distinctive shell shape of a pointed spire extending to a plate resembling the foot of a bird.

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

iNaturalist: Aporrhais pespelecani at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Aporrhais pespelecani

WoRMS: Aporrhais pespelecani at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Aporrhais pespelecani (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 138760.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Caenogastropoda; Littorinimorpha; Stromboidea; Aporrhaidae; Aporrhais