QUALITY SELECTION OF TURRITELLA SHELLS

Turritella Shells

  • Family: Turritellidae (Deep Sea Augers, True Augers) Shells of this family are shaped like long, slender augers or screws and resemble Terebridae shells. However, the similarity ends there. The turritella shell shape is somewhat variable, and shells are thin, rough and not lustrous. The rounded mouth and complete absence of a siphonal canal at the anterior end of the aperture clearly identify turritellas. The shells have in addition: a very tall spire; numerous convex whorls; no umbilical opening; absence of folds on the columnella, and a horny, flexible operculum that is supported by flexible bristles. The operculum can be withdrawn far inside the shell when the animal retreats.



  • The "worm" shell genus, Vermicularia, is also found in the Turritellidae family. It is similar to Turitellidae shells except that the whorls begin to separate as it grows larger (see the superfamily Cerithioidea), and it can be difficult to distinguish from shells in other families of the superfamily. Moreover, any of the worm shells can be superficially mistaken for similar shells formed by certain annelid worms --a wholly unrelated phylum.



  • These filter feeding molluscs burrow in sandy bottoms and feed on dust-like particles of detritus falling to the sea floor. Quite unlike the terebra mollusc, the turritella lacks the venomous dart mechanism needed for an actively carnivorous life style Many turritellas make use of their gills, to filter out fine food particles much as clams do.



  • Brown Turritellas small

    Brown Turritella

  • Most of the tips are blunted.

  • V1-9
  • One Brown Turretella Auger shell 7/8 to 3 inches ...... .08


  • Brown Turritellas
    7/21/13

    Brown Turritella Shells

  • Most of the tips are blunted.

  • B1-8
  • One Brown Turritella Auger shell 2 6/8 to 3 3/8 inches ...... .29


  • Purple Turritellas

    Purple Turritella

  • Most of the tips are blunted

  • H1-8
  • One Purple Turritella Auger shell 1 6/8 to 3 inches...... .19


  • Most of the tips are blunted

  • H2-8
  • One Purple Turritella Auger Shell 5/8 to 1 2/8 inches...... .OUT OF STOCK
  • Tan Turritella

    Tan Turritella

  • Most of the tips are blunted

  • X1-9
  • One Tan Turritella Shell  7/8 to 2 inches ..... .03


  • Most of the tips are blunted

  • X2-9
  • One Tan Turritella shell 2 to 2 5/8 inches ...... .09


  • Terebra Turritella

    Terebra Turritella shell

  • Most of the tips are blunted
  • C1-10

    One Terebra Turritella shell 2 to 2 3/4 inches...… .15



  • Most tips are blunted

  • C2-10

  • One Terebra Turritella shell 4 to 5 inches ..... OUT OF STOCK


  • C3-10

  • One Terebra Turritella shell 5 to 6 inches .... OUT OF STOCK




  • White Turritella shell

  • Most tips are blunted

  • WT1-8

  • One White Turritella shell 1 6/8 inches or more...... OUT OF STOCK
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