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Dire whelk

Lirabuccinum dirum

Photo by Brian38
Published on Project Noah
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48.1682, -123.709

Field Notes

Description:

This Dire whelk shell was about 4 cm long, gray and smoothed by the sea. Now has been caught by the spines of a Purple sea urchin and has become the center piece of its decoration. Scientists think this behavior protects urchins from drying out, getting eaten by gulls or being damaged by the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Habitat:

Spotted in a tide pool at Tongue Point Marine Sanctuary.

Notes:

This whelk is found in shallow waters in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

Reference Links:

Lirabuccinum dirum - Wikipedia

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
Brian38
Ha ha great question Neil. I wonder the same questions.
Neil Ross
That is really unusual behaviour. What happens next? Is it used as shade, and does the limpet get shoved down the gulls throat? Is the whelk released when the sun goes down? So many questions!! I love this spotting, Brian. Well done.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Sea life of the Pacific Northwest.
Mission
The Pacific Northwest Bioregion
Mission
Mollusca
Mission
2019 Best Wildlife Photo - Species Interactions Special!

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Photographed
PublishedMay 12, 2019

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