Cannon Beach, Oregon

Haystack Rock tidepools - July 2004


 

Whelks

These whelk (or dogwinkle) are carnivores that prey on barnacles and small mussels. Using its radula to drill a hole through the shell, it inserts its proboscis to feed upon the meat inside.

Other types of snails found in and around tidepools are herbivores (eat plants and algae), scavengers (feed on carrion), or omnivores (eat both plants and meat).

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Photo by Michael R. Clapp

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