Dog whelks exposed on a rock at low tide. Dog whelks (Nucella lapillus) are predatory sea snails (gastropods) that feed on a variety of mussels, tubew
Dog whelks exposed on a rock at low tide. Dog whelks (Nucella lapillus) are predatory sea snails (gastropods) that feed on a variety of mussels, tubeworms, barnacles, and other dog whelks. They use a modified radula (tooth) and an organ on the foot which secretes a shell-softening chemical, to bore holes in the shells of prey. They then secrete paralysing chemicals and digestive enzymes inside the shell to break down the body into a âsoupâ which can be sucked out.
Size: 5150px × 3421px
Photo credit: © SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: animal, aquatic, atlantic, biological, biology, carnivore, carnivorous, coast, coastal, dog, dogwhelk, dogwinkle, exposed, fauna, gastropod, inter-tidal, invertebrates, lapillus, marine, mollusc, mollusca, molluscs, multiple, nature, nucella, rock, sea, seashell, seashells, seashore, seaside, shell, shells, tide, underwater, whelk, whelks, wildlife, zone, zoological, zoology
