One of the species we display in the cold-water touch pool of our Beyond Shells! exhibition is the Red Turban Snail, Pomaulax gibberosus (Dillwyn, 1817), a gastropod from the rocky shores of the West Coast of North America, where it is found from Mexico to Alaska. Red Turban Snails live from the low-tide zone and down to 80 m (about 260 ft) depth, in the cold waters of its native range. The species is usually associated with stands of Giant Kelp, Macrocystis integrifolia, on which it grazes. The photo, taken by our Aquarium Manager Rebecca Mensch, highlights the snails “face,” with eyes and tentacles, visible. Make sure you pay a visit to our resident Red Turban Snails next time you come to the Museum!
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