Sydney Rock Whelk
Scientific name: Cabestana spengleri
Alternative name/s:
Orange Triton
Orange Triton
Click to enlarge image
Whelk with eggs, Cabestana spengleri
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Cabestana
- Species
- spengleri
- Family
- Cymatiidae
- Super Family
- Tonnoidea
- Order
- Littorinimorpha
- Subclass
- Caenogastropoda
- Class
- Gastropoda
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 15 cm
The Sydney Rock Whelk is usually found at low-tide level on or near its favourite food, the Cunjevoi.
Identification
The Sydney Rock Whelk has distinguishing red-brown lines, often in pairs between the grooves of the shell.
Habitat
The Sydney Rock Whelk is found on intertidal rock platforms.
Distribution
The Sydney Rock Whelk is found in Southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Feeding and diet
The Sydney Rock Whelk selectively feeds on the Cunjevoi's gonads (reproductive organs) and reaches them by inserting its long mouthparts down one of the siphons or feeding tubes of the Cunjevoi.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Aboriginal people most likely ate these snails in the past, as the shells have been found in Aboriginal midden sites around Sydney.
