Identificaciones de drewvilleneuve

Common Name: Eastern Oyster Drill

Location Found: In the mid-intertidal at Grimes Cove, East Boothbay, ME.

Habitat: Found on rocks in the intertidal up to 50 feet. Ranges from Nova Scotia to the northern parts of Florida.

Physical Description: It is coarse and oval shaped with a spire that is elevated. The spire is typically half the length of the shell. Usually this species has 5-6 whorls with 12 ribs or waves. It ranges in color from tan to dark brown and maxes out at around 1 inch in size.

Fun Fact: Although the oyster drill is rather small at only 1 inch, it is known to be one of the biggest threats to oyster beds as it drills a hole in the oyster shell and consumes the oyster after doing so. However, this species cannot tolerate lower salinity water, so oyster beds are often placed at the mouths of rivers where they thrive.

Reference: Martinez, Marine Life of the North Atlantic