Purple Whelk
Rapana venosa
- Group: Other
- Typical depth: 10–60 m
- Max size: 16.1 cm
- For divers: safe
A big predatory sea snail reaching around 16 centimetres, the purple whelk drills and prises open bivalves on shallow coastal bottoms. Its toughness toward swings in temperature, salinity, and oxygen has helped it spread far beyond its native range as an invader.
Taxonomy: Animalia › Mollusca › Gastropoda › Neogastropoda › Muricidae › Rapana
Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 140416.
FAQ
- How deep does the Purple Whelk live?
- The Purple Whelk (Rapana venosa) is typically found at 10–60 m.
- Is the Purple Whelk dangerous to divers?
- The Purple Whelk is harmless to divers.
- How big does the Purple Whelk get?
- The Purple Whelk grows to about 16.1 cm.