Edible periwinkle  (Littorina littorea)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

Periwinkles are a large family of gastropod molluscs found on the shore. The edible periwinkle is perhaps the best known species of this family, as it has been collected and eaten for centuries. After boiling, the soft body is ‘winkled out’ from the shell with a pin or a special ‘winkle-picker’ (3). This species is the largest periwinkle found in Britain. It has a dark grey or black conical shell that develops a smooth surface with age. The flattened tentacles bear obvious black bands, a feature which allows young specimens to be identified easily. Males can be distinguished during the breeding season by the presence of a penis on the right side of the body (4).

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