Eastern Auger

Range/Geographical Distribution: Virginia to the Gulf of Mexico.

Habitat: Subtidal along beaches.

Description: A long, narrow, tapered shell with many whorls.  Colors vary from purple to yellow to brown to gray.  Small orange/yellow operculum.

Size: Can reach two inches in length.

Food: Worms

Breeding: No larval stage, young emerge from egg capsules and bury into the sand.

Predators: Moon snails, crabs

Conservation Status: No legal status.

Interesting Facts: When eastern auger snails die their shells often become homes for long-wristed hermit crabs.

On the Coast: Eastern auger shells are often found washed up on coastal Georgia’s beaches.