Cart-Rut Shell

Dicathais orbita

Sea Life Native IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

Adult shell white with a short pointed end (spire); juveniles often brown. Eastern form has rough ridges around the shell, which in the western and southern forms are broken up into discontinuous lumps. Aperture cream, often with a yellow stripe around internal edge

Size

Can grow to around 70mm

Habitat

In crevices on rock platforms and rocky reefs, to depths greater than 10 m

Distribution

Southern mainland Australia and Tasmania

Gallery

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Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (3)

Museums Victoria Staff (2017) Dicathais orbita Dog Winkle in Museums Victoria Collections (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
Grove, S.J. (2018). A Guide to the Seashells and other Marine Molluscs of Tasmania web-site (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)

Quick Facts

Common name: Cart-Rut Shell
Scientific name: Dicathais orbita (Gmelin, 1791)
Family: Muricidae
Category: Sea Life › Shellfish
Origin: Native
Conservation: Not Evaluated

Australian Faunal Directory

Also Known As

Cart-wheel Purple

Tags

gastropod rock-pool beachcombing

Information Website

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Header image: CC BY-SA 4.0 © wildroo

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.