Neverita duplicata

Neverita duplicata, commonly known as the shark eye, is a captivating predatory sea snail belonging to the Naticidae family. Intriguingly, in 2006, scientists identified a close relative with a smaller habitat range, naming it Neverita delessertiana.

The shark eye is prevalent along the western Atlantic coastline, from Massachusetts to Florida, and extending along the Gulf of Mexico to Honduras. Its shell is notably distinctive—flattened and globular, reaching up to approximately 88-90 millimeters in size. The color varies, but it often features a greyish-brown shell with a dark blue center, reminiscent of an eye.

These snails thrive on sandy shores, typically residing below the low tide line. It is not uncommon to find their empty shells washed up on beaches. As for their diet, shark eyes are predators, primarily hunting bivalves hidden in the sand. They exhibit a unique feeding method, drilling circular holes through their prey's shells to access the soft tissues inside.

N. duplicata can be found at depths ranging from the shoreline down to about 58 meters. Next time you visit the beach, be on the lookout for these intriguing sea snails!