Crenulated Auger

Overview

The Crenulated Auger (Oxymeris crenulata) is a predatory marine gastropod belonging to the family Terebridae. It is widely recognized for its elongated, conical shell, which features distinctive, rounded tubercles along the sutures of its whorls.

Appearance

This species possesses a slender, pointed shell that can reach lengths of up to 15 cm. The shell color typically ranges from whitish to ashy or reddish, often marked with two spiral rows of dark brown spots. The upper edge of each whorl is flattened and bordered by a series of prominent, rounded tubercles, which give the snail its common name. The aperture is ovate and whitish, with a short, straight siphonal canal.

Distribution & habitat

The Crenulated Auger is broadly distributed across the tropical Indo-Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea to Hawaii and French Polynesia. It is primarily a shallow-water species, often found in sandy or gravelly substrates, including seagrass beds and coarse coral sand pockets.

Biology & behavior

This snail is generally solitary and exhibits a nocturnal lifestyle, remaining buried in the sand during the day and emerging at night to hunt. As a carnivore, it occupies a position as a hunter in the food chain, specializing in preying upon marine worms. Similar to cone snails, it utilizes a venomous, dart-like structure to immobilize its prey before consumption.