Fauna
Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 5192789

Common Atlantic Slippersnail

Crepidula fornicata

Also known as Common Slipper Shell, Boat Shell, Quarterdeck Shell, Atlantic Slipper Limpet

Common Atlantic slippersnails form curved mating stacks on rocks and oyster shells, where individuals change sex from male to female as they grow larger. The bottommost shell anchors the chain to the seafloor while filter feeding on suspended plankton from passing ocean currents. Native to the western Atlantic, these resilient mollusks have established dense invasive populations across European coastline ecosystems.

MarineFilter FeederMollusk
Common Atlantic Slippersnail reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Alison Northup, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alison Northup · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Phytoplankton
  • Microalgae
  • Organic detritus
Predators
  • Sea stars
  • Shorebirds
  • Crabs
ThreatsCoastal pollution, dredging, and habitat destruction
HabitatsShallow coastal waters, estuaries, bays, and intertidal mudflats
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. OrderLittorinimorpha
  2. FamilyCalyptraeidae
  3. GenusCrepidula
  4. SpeciesCrepidula fornicata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Look for piled shells clinging to rocks, pilings, or live oysters along low-tide shorelines.
  • Handling: Gentle handling of loose shells is safe, but avoid prying live animals off surfaces to prevent harm.
Related species
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