Description: This species is the largest Euspira found in Britain and Ireland and reaches around 35 mm in height. It has a smooth glossy shell with rounded whorls. The shell is buff or pale yellow in colour and there are distinct lines visible between the whorls, patterning is usually more obvious between the smaller whorls. The last whorl is largest and makes up most of the shell. The aperture is large. The snail is cream to yellow with some dark flecks, with a short head and two obvious, flattened, tentacles. When active, the foot of the snail covers most of the shell. Also lays distinctive eggs in an open ring or collar.

Habitat: Sandy substrate from low water mark to depths of 120 m.

Distribution: Recorded from all coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Euspira nitida but it is much smaller than E. catena and has a darker or more strongly coloured shell with 5 rows of brown markings.

Key Identification Features:

• Relatively large snail (compared to other similar species).
• Smooth glossy shell with rounded whorls.
• Last whorl is very large and makes up most of the shell.
• Foot of snail covers most of shell when active.
• Distinct lines visible between whorls, most obvious between smaller whorls.

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

iNaturalist: Euspira catena at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Euspira catena

WoRMS: Euspira catena at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Euspira catena (da Costa, 1778). AphiaID: 140528.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Caenogastropoda; Littorinimorpha; Naticoidea; Naticidae; Polinicinae; Euspira