The Augers
(Family) Terebridae
Distinguishing Characteristics: The Augers are relatives of the Cones. They have a slender triangular shape, with a small aperture and a very long spire.
Habitat: These snails prefer to live on muddy sand or sand flats in intertidal waters up to 25 feet.
Diet: This family primarily feeds upon young clams and potentially marine worms. The local species prefers to eat small crustaceans called copepods.
Interesting Facts: As relatives to the Cones, the Augers may possess a venomous harpoon-like stinger. The local species lack this stinger, and there's little literature about the effects of an Auger sting on humans, but you should always stay safe. Never pick up a live auger snail, no matter the species. Their flesh may also be poisonous.
Scientific Name: Terebra taurina
Common Name: Flame Auger
Distinguishing Characteristics: Shell long, heavy, slender, with brown and cream striping. The whorls near the tip of the spire may have some rib-like ridges. Maximum size 5 inches.
Scientific Name: Terebra dislocata
Common Name: Eastern Auger
Distinguishing Characteristics: Whorls have 20-25 heavy rib-like ridges. Each whorl is separated by an inset smaller band that spirals around the shell. Color varies from grey to a reddish tan. Maximum size around 2 inches.
Interesting Facts: Also known as the Atlantic Auger.
Flame Auger
Eastern Auger
Florida Cerith
The Ceriths
(Family) Cerithiidae
Distinguishing Characteristics: The Ceriths have small, sharply conical shells with oval apertures. A very short, faint siphonal canal is visible, and opposite of it is another short canal called an anal canal. Shells are uniformly small, rarely over an inch long.
Habitat: These snails live on sandy or rocky bottoms, or near coral reefs in shallow water zones.
Diet: This family primarily feeds upon algae.
Scientific Name: Cerithium atratum
Common Name: Florida cerith
Distinguishing Characteristics: Shell can be dull white, grey and brown, occasionally speckled with white or brown spots. Whorls covered with beaded ornamentation and fine threading. Siphonal canal visible and obvious. Maximum size 1 inch.
Interesting Facts: Also known as the Dark Cerith.