Shell Feature: Worm Shell

The somewhat bizarre worm shells feature a swirly spiral shaped hollow tube. These shells are made from two related species: the Fargo Worm Snail and the Florida Worm Snail. These snails start making a tightly coiled shell until it's about half an inch to an inch long. Then, the length of the shell becomes uncoiled, changing into this loose swirly spiral shape. This shape allows the Worm Snail to anchor itself to sponges, rocks and corals. It's fairly common to find broken pieces of this shell on Sanibel beaches (like the photo above), and occasionally you can find one with the tightly coiled pointy shell top!
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Scientific name of the Florida Worm Snail: Vermicularia knorrii
Scientific name of the Fargo Worm Snail: Vermicularia fargoi
Coloring: white, tan or light brown
Worm Snails are sea snails that live in coastal reefs. They are suspension feeders that trap plankton for food.