What Do Ocean Snails Eat?

Snails are found in nearly every ecosystem. Some live on dry land while others are semi-aquatic or fully-aquatic and can survive underwater. Ocean snails are a large group of aquatic snails that live in the ocean and are also called marine snails. There are many species of marine snails, all with varied diets.

  1. Algae

    • Most marine snails will eat algae that grows naturally in the ocean, or even in a salt water fish tank. These snails need a lot of algae to survive. Because algae particles are so small, the snails spend the majority of their time grazing on algae. Some examples of algae-eating ocean snails include the rib-top snail and the pheasant snail.

    Herbivores

    • Some snail species eat plant matter along with algae or do not eat algae at all. These herbivorous snails eat different types of seaweed that grow on the ocean floor. Herbivore snails such as the black-footed paua snail can grow up to 15 centimeters long, and other snails that only eat plant matter include top shell snails, limpets and turban shells.

    Carnivores

    • Some ocean snails are carnivores and eat other animals. These snails include the Cabestana snail and the red foot snail. Carnivorous snails eat worms, marine invertebrates and other mollusks, including snails. The cone snail actually stabs its prey with its teeth and injects venom to subdue and consume it. The snail sometimes eats fish.

    Detritivores

    • Some snails are neither herbivores nor carnivores, but scavengers that eat decaying plant and animal matter that collects on the sea floor. These animals are called detritivores and eat any decomposing matter they can find. An example of a detritivore snail includes the bumble bee snail.