Cleanup Job (Yuck!)

[Anonymous]

When I returned from work yesterday I noticed a Keyhole Limpet that was dying on the glass. Everything else looked great so I didn't really concern myself about it.

After a couple of hours it was obviously on the way out. All at once a half dozen of my snails ("some type of Whelk"

) came out of the sand and headed for the Limpet. It was definately simultaneous between all of them. Well, I grabbed my camera because I thought it would be interesting and documented the feeding frenzy...

First snail at the scene:

A pink "tube" comes out of the mouth:

Pink tube (what is this thing called??) extends further into the corpse:

Feeding begins:

Enjoy

 

[bowfront]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Guy:
<STRONG>
Pink tube (what is this thing called??) extends further into the corpse: </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Its called the probosis. Nature at work yummy yummy.

[ August 17, 2001: Message edited by: bowfront ]

 

[gkrane]

That is awesome. That is an amazing sight to get on film.

 

[SPC]

Guy, great pictures, I'll bet Dr Ron would like to use these for his site.
Steve

 

[Modo]

Pretty cool looking shell on that thing.

It's kinda fancy on dat thar one end

 

[DaktariEd]

 

[davelin315]

I think it's actually called a proboscis, not positive, but that's what I think I remember from marine biology long ago (I think I got a C, so don't trust me on this one).

 

[Nostrathomas]

Wow!

Great pics thank's for the cool pics!!

 

[Anonymous]

Excellent photos and observations, Guy!

 

[sub trate]

Ok someone please tell me why I think that is a small cone snail? And arent they poisous?

 

[esmithiii]

Cool! That looks like a nacarius snail, not a cone. None of my limpets are nearly that big! Cool pics.

E

 

[Anonymous]

I'm fairly sure it's not Nassarius. It acts very very similar, but I have many baby ones: therefore it can't be Nassarius.

 

[Chucker]

It's not a cone snail, and not a Nassarius, but it's quite likely that it is a whelk of some sort, and will prey on other snails. It should probably be moved to more appropriate accomodations in the sump.

 

[FishHead1]