Recluz’s Moon

Recluz’s Moon, Neverita recluzianus

Recluz’s Moon, Neverita recluzianus. Size: 5.8 cm (2.3 inches) x 4.8 cm (1.9 inches).

Recluz’s Moon Snail, Neverita recluziana (DeShays, 1839),  is a member of the Naticiae Family of Moon Shells, that is also known as the Tall Moon Snail. They have a tall, solid shell with four to five whorls, a pronounced spire than in most Moon Snails that has flat-sided whorls, and a bluntly pointed apex. The exterior of the shell is smooth, with fine growth lines and the shell is grayish-brown to light brown in color; the base and interior are white. Recluz’s Moon Shells reach a maximum length of 8.4 cm (3.3 inches).

Recluz’s Moon Snails are most often found on sandbars and in shallow bays from the intertidal zone to depths up to 165 feet. They range from Northern California to Mazatlán, Sinaloa and are found throughout the Sea of Cortez.

Synonyms include: Glossaulax reclusiana, Natica reclusiana, Neverita sacta, Polinices reclusiana, and Polinices reclusianus.