MOLLUSCA : Cephalaspidea : ActeonidaeSNAILS, SLUGS, ETC.

Acteon tornatilis (Linnaeus, 1758)


Description: The family Acteonidae are heterobranch gastropods with a solid external shell which looks like the shell of other gastropod groups. The body is translucent white and can retract completely into the shell. Typically 12-30 mm in length. Feeds on polychaetes such as Ownenia fusiformis.

Habitat: Lives at the surface of sand and can burrow into sand. Found from low water to 250 m.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: There are no similar species in the area.

Key Identification Features:

  • Thin shell with short spire and brown bands.
  • White animal with broad foot.

Distribution Map from NBN: Acteon tornatilis at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Acteon tornatilis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Acteon tornatilis at World Register of Marine Species.

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 Picton, B.E., Keatley, L. & Morrow, C.C. (2026). Acteon tornatilis. (Linnaeus, 1758). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=W9580. Accessed on 2026-11-01