Australian Black Nerite

Nerita atramentosa

Nerita atramentosa - Australian Black Nerite
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Size: 3 cm

Distribution: All SA coastal and gulf waters

Habitat: Rocky coast

Depth: Upper to mid intertidal

Nerita atramentosa - Australian Black Nerite
Nerita atramentosa - Australian Black Nerite
Nerita atramentosa - Australian Black Nerite

This grey to black snail is common in the intertidal zone, where thousands can be present on certain rocky coastlines. Its shell is mostly uniform in colour, with a white underside and black operculum. As the only nerite species found in SA, it is not usually confused with other species, although it does share habitat with some Diloma and Chlorodiloma species, from which it differs by having no obvious ribbing or pattern of stripes.