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Conservation Status

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The Florida horse conch is very common and is found quite easily around the Florida coast in the Atlantic ocean.

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cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
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The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Miller, A. 1999. "Pleuroploca gigantea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pleuroploca_gigantea.html
author
Amanda Miller, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Benefits

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Florida horse conchs are used as food and are said to taste "peppery." They also eat other bivalves that may sometimes be pests to man.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Miller, A. 1999. "Pleuroploca gigantea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pleuroploca_gigantea.html
author
Amanda Miller, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
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Animal Diversity Web

Trophic Strategy

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The Florida horse conch are carnivores that feed on bivalves and other snails.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Miller, A. 1999. "Pleuroploca gigantea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pleuroploca_gigantea.html
author
Amanda Miller, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
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Animal Diversity Web

Distribution

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These are marine animals and are found from North Carolina to Florida and into Mexico.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); atlantic ocean (Native )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Miller, A. 1999. "Pleuroploca gigantea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pleuroploca_gigantea.html
author
Amanda Miller, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
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Animal Diversity Web

Habitat

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The Florida horse conch lives among the sand and weeds in the shallow marine waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Aquatic Biomes: coastal

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Miller, A. 1999. "Pleuroploca gigantea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pleuroploca_gigantea.html
author
Amanda Miller, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
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Animal Diversity Web

Morphology

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The Florida horse conch is the largest snail to be found in the American waters, sometimes reaching a length of two feet. It has ten whorls, and its shoulders bear large, low nodules. The operculum is a leathery brown color, the aperture is orange, and the animal itself is brick red in color.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Miller, A. 1999. "Pleuroploca gigantea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pleuroploca_gigantea.html
author
Amanda Miller, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
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Animal Diversity Web

Reproduction

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Reproduction is sexual. The female attaches capsule-like structures to rock or old shell. Each capsule contains several dozen eggs for the young snails to feed upon. The capsule contains 5-6 circular rims, and they are laid in clumps. The young emerge and are an orange color, approximately 3.5 inches in diameter.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Miller, A. 1999. "Pleuroploca gigantea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pleuroploca_gigantea.html
author
Amanda Miller, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web