Dog whelks and their eggs, exposed on a rock at low tide. Dog whelks (Nucella lapillus, white centre) are predatory sea snails (gastropods) that feed

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Dog whelks and their eggs, exposed on a rock at low tide. Dog whelks (Nucella lapillus, white centre) are predatory sea snails (gastropods) that feed on a variety of other shelled sea animals. Dog whelks gather together for the mating season and lay their eggs in yellow capsules (translucent yelllow spheres) in crevices on the shore between April and May. Young dog whelks feed on unfertilised eggs before emerging from the egg capsules almost fully-formed, but much smaller than adults. Full maturity is reached after three years.

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Size: 5150px × 3421px
Photo credit: © SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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