Marlin Spike Auger

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$20.00
$20.00
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Of course. This highly elongated, sharply pointed shell is a type of Auger Snail. Based on the distinctive pattern of squarish, brown or black blotches, this is a Marlin Spike Auger, with the scientific name Terebra maculata.

Your 2-inch specimen is a juvenile, as this species is famous for being one of the largest and heaviest auger snails in the world, capable of reaching lengths of up to 10 inches.

Here are the key details about this shell:

  • Identification: The defining features are its long, slender, multi-whorled, "tower" or "screw" shape and the pattern of dark, rectangular spots on a creamy-white background.
  • The Animal and its Venom: Like cone snails, auger snails are venomous predators. The Marlin Spike Auger lives buried in the sand and hunts for marine worms (specifically acorn worms). It uses a venomous, harpoon-like tooth to subdue its prey before swallowing it whole. While not considered as dangerous to humans as the more potent cone snails, the living animal should still be handled with caution as it is capable of delivering a sting.
  • Habitat and Range: This is a common species found in the sandy seabeds of the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean.
  • Name: The name "Marlin Spike" refers to its resemblance to a marlinspike, a pointed metal tool used by sailors for splicing rope. The scientific name maculata means "spotted."

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