Description: The family Acteonidae are heterobranch gastropods with a solid external shell which looks like the shell of other gastropod groups. The body is translucent white and can retract completely into the shell. Typically 12-30 mm in length. Feeds on polychaetes such as Ownenia fusiformis.

Habitat: Lives at the surface of sand and can burrow into sand. Found from low water to 250 m.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: There are no similar species in the area.

Key Identification Features:

• Thin shell with short spire and brown bands.
• White animal with broad foot.

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

iNaturalist: Acteon tornatilis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Acteon tornatilis

WoRMS: Acteon tornatilis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Acteon tornatilis (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 138691.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Heterobranchia; Euthyneura; Acteonimorpha; Acteonoidea; Acteonidae; Acteon