Mud Whelks are very common and can occur in huge numbers. You can see their trails crisscrossing the mud.

Common name: Mud Whelk (right side)
Scientific name: Pyrazus ebeninus
Photo: Dr I. Bennett

Lots of plants and animals in mangroves provided food for Aboriginal people on the coasts. Find out what some of these were.

Mangroves

Mud Whelk

Mud Whelks are large snails. They have a long, brown, spiral shell. Their shell can grow up to 11 cm in length.

Mud Whelks live in among the aerial roots of mangroves.

Mud Whelks live on the east coast of Australia. They are found on sandy flats, in estuarine mud flats and among mangroves.

Mud Whelks eat small particles of dead plants and animals. They also eat algae.

Mud Whelks eat mud as they crawl over the surface and digest food items from it.

Unwanted mud and sediment are passed through the digestive system.

Birds, octopuses and stingrays eat Mud Whelks.