What is the name of the animal that made this shell?

What does its shape remind you of?

How big do you think it is?

This shell is from a Snout-Bearing Spindle, also called the Australian Trumpet. This one came from Fiji in the South Pacific. They live from Australia to the South Pacific Islands. This kind of animal in a shell is called a mollusk and includes thousands of species worldwide.

It looks like a top that you can spin. Spindles are sea-snails and live on sandy bottom sea floors among rocks and coral debris. They are carnivorous and prey on other small sea creatures, including worms.

This Spindle is the largest snail species in the world! This large shell is 20 inches long, but they have been found up to 35 inches long. The weight of the animal (including the shell) can be up to 18 kg (40 lb). Imagine how big the sea-snail was living inside!