Moon Snail

Moon Snail Facts

• The moon snail’s foot not only helps it to glide along the surface but also to dig in the sand or mud. Most of the animal’s time during the daylight hours is spent buried in the bay bottom.
• When a moon snail “digs in” the tip of the foot is inserted into the sand. The snail then pumps water into the underground part of the foot. Acting like an anchor, it is then contracted. As this happens, the foot pulls more of the body down into the sand with it. This process is repeated and as more of the foot is dug in more of the foot is filled with water until the snail is buried under the bay bottom.
• Once the animal is buried it can move underground by selectively filling different parts of the foot with water to pull it through the sand.
• Movement below the bottom can help in avoiding predators and more importantly being where the calms are.
• Learn more HERE
• barnegatshellfish.org