Horn Shell

Mollusc

Identification & Biology

• IdentificationA small, elongated sea snail with a tall, conical shell featuring a pointed tip and prominent spiral ridges. Brown to grey in colour. Found in large numbers on sandy and muddy substrates, often partially buried.
• SizeShell length up to 7 cm. A common and abundant species.
• Social HabitGregarious. Found in dense aggregations of hundreds or thousands of individuals on suitable substrates. Slow-moving grazers.
• HabitatShallow sandy and muddy bottoms, seagrass meadows, and sheltered lagoons. Prefers calm, shallow water with organic-rich sediment.
• Depth0 to 20 m. Most abundant in very shallow water.
• Feeds OnDetritus, microalgae, and organic particles on the sediment surface. A deposit feeder.
• DistributionEastern Atlantic and throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Very common in sheltered Maltese bays.
• DescriptionCerithium vulgatum is one of the most abundant gastropods in the Mediterranean and is often the dominant mollusc in shallow, sheltered bays. Large aggregations create trails across muddy sediment as they graze. The tall, pointed shells are frequently found washed up on beaches and are commonly used as homes by small hermit crabs. A useful indicator species for healthy, organic-rich shallow-water habitats.