Blue Periwinkles are one of the most common snails on Australian seashores. They are hard to avoid when walking barefoot across the rocks and their pointy shells can be painful if you tread on them.
Common name: Blue Periwinkle
Scientific name: Nodilittorina unifasciata
Photo: Dr I. Bennett
Some animals are suited to live on the rocks where only the highest tides and splash reach them. Find out how they survive in this environment.
Rock pools and rock platforms
Blue Periwinkle
Blue Periwinkles are snails. Their shell is greyish-blue with a brown tip. They can grow to 1.6 cm in height.
People walking on the rocks often see Blue Periwinkles.
Blue Periwinkles live on the rocky shores of southern Australia. They are found on rock faces.
Blue Periwinkles eat small plants such as lichen. The periwinkles scrape small bits of plant off the rocks with their rough tongue.
Crabs, other snails, octopuses and birds all eat Blue Periwinkles.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
