Babylonia spirata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Spiral babylon
Babylonia spirata
photo by Modi, Shuanak

Family:  Babyloniidae ()
Max. size:  4.94 cm SHH (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Characterized by broad, ovately conical and moderately short shell; spire prominent and pointed; sutural canal conspicuous, wide and deep with angulate keel-like shoulder; body whorl somewhat flattened between the shoulder and above the periphery; aperture about half of shell height; umbilicus varying from wide open to completely closed. Ground colour white; blotches of varying shapes and sizes that are generally arranged in spiral bands, ranging from pinkish-orange to dark brown; periostracum thin, brown.
Biology:  Maximum depth from Ref. 799. Found on mud, fine sand and shell substrates (Refs. 3204, 126558). Also found amongst seagrass bed during the evening low spring tide (Ref. 126558).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 

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