Pelican's-Foot

Aporrhais pespelecani

Pelican's-foot is a species of sea snail characterized by its distinctive shell, which has a high conical spire and a broadened outer lip that resembles the webbed foot of a pelican. The shell can vary in color, displaying hues of white, beige, reddish brown, and darkish chestnut, often with axial flamed patterns. This species can be found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Norway to the Mediterranean Sea and including the Black Sea, typically inhabiting muddy or sandy substrates below the low tide level. It thrives in the sublittoral zone at depths ranging from 10 to 130 meters, although it has been recorded at depths as shallow as 6 meters and as deep as 150 meters in some instances. As a carnivorous species, Pelican's-foot primarily feeds on small invertebrates. It reproduces through a process known as broadcast spawning, where embryos develop into planktonic larvae before maturing into adults. Encountering this species while diving can be intriguing, as divers may spot them nestled in the mud or sandy bottoms, often camouflaged against their surroundings. Their unique shell shape and coloration can make them stand out against the substrate, providing an interesting subject for underwater photography. Currently, Pelican's-foot has not been evaluated by the IUCN, so its conservation status remains unknown.