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Home > Invertebrates
> Shells > Periwinkles
Updated 4/11/2026
Family
Littorinidae
Periwinkles
| Periwinkles are algal grazers found high above the waterline on rocky
shores. They move vertically with the tide and are capable
of trapping water inside the shell to survive extended dry periods. |
HAWAII - ENDEMIC
Echinolittorina
hawaiiensis 
HAWAIIAN
PERIWINKLE |
Echinolittorina
hawaiiensis
HAWAIIAN
PERIWINKLE |
| Peasiella
tantilla
KEELED PERIWINKLE
|
Peasiella
tantilla
KEELED PERIWINKLE |
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INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII
|
Littoraria
pintado
DOTTED PERIWINKLE |
Littoraria coccinea
SCARLET PERIWINKLE
|
| Littoraria
scabra
MANGROVE
PERIWINKLE |
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Family
Planaxidae
Cluster
Winks
| Cluster winks are herbivorous, inhabiting rocky reefs. |
HAWAII - ENDEMIC
|
Fossarus cumingii
CUMING'S FOSSARUS
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INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII
|
Hinea
zonata
DWARF PACIFIC CLUSTER WINK
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Planaxis suturalis
SUTURED CLUSTER WINK
|
Family Rastodentidae
Rastoden
snails
| These tiny snails inhabit algal mat and seaweed and are presumed to
feed upon hydrioid and bryozoans. Worn faded shells may be common in
sediment and beach drift. |
HAWAII - ENDEMIC
|
Rastodens brevilabiosa
SHORT-LIP RASTODENS
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Family Assimineidae
Palmleaf
snails
| These tiny air-breathing snails are active crawlers and hide beneath
rubble and debris above sea level. |
WEST PACIFIC / HAWAII
|
Angustassiminea nitida
SHINY PALMLEAF SNAIL
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Family
Ellobiidae
Air-breathing Snails
| These air-breathing snails lack gills and inhabit the rocky splash
zone, especially in areas with freshwater seeps. Formerly known as Family Melampidae. |
HAWAII - ENDEMIC
| Allochroa
bronnii
HAWAIIAN ALLOCHROA |
Pedipes sandwicensis
HAWAIIAN PEDIPES
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INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII
| Melampus
castaneus
COFFEE BEAN |
Melampus cf. flavus
YELLOW COFFEE BEAN |
|
Laemodonta octanfracta
CORDED LAEMODONTA |
Allochroa layardi
LAYARD'S ALLOCHROA |
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