Phylum: Mollusca

Class: Gastropoda

Subclass: Prosobranchia

 

Norwegian: forgjellesnegler

(Kvenvær - Sør-Trøndelag / 6 meters / 3.10.2002)

The snails you found at the beach as a kid, all belong to the subclass Prosobranchia. All sea snails have gills in front of the heart. More obvious is the spiral or bowl shaped shells. Most species have a lid they use to "close the door" into their house. Besides the obvious defense, the lid helps maintaining the humidity if they end up on their back on dry land.

Some of the sea snails have a considerable commercial interest in many countries.