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Home > Invertebrates
> Shells > Violet Snails
Updated 4/25/2026
Family Janthinidae
Violet
Snails
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Violet snails are specialized for life afloat on the open ocean where they
drift in pursuit of venomous cnidarians, including
Portuguese Man-of-war,
Porpita, and
Velella.
The snail builds a mucus bubble raft and floats on its side.
Shells are paper-thin to reduce weight and exude purple fluid when
disturbed. Violet snails are rarely
encountered, but very strong onshore winds may wash them ashore by the
thousands. They are closely related
to Wentletraps. |
Janthina globosa feeding on Porpita
CIRCUMTROPICAL
| Janthina janthina
COMMON VIOLET SNAIL
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Janthina exigua
DWARF VIOLET SNAIL
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Janthina prolonga
GLOBULAR VIOLET SNAIL
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