They are called Mulberry Whelks because the black bumps on their shell make them look a bit like a mulberry fruit. Mulberry Whelks are sometimes called Oyster Borers.
Common name: Mulberry Whelk
Scientific name: Morula marginalba
Photo: W. Rudman
Mulberry Whelks use a chemical to soften the shells of their prey. See if you can find out what it is.
Rock pools and rock platforms
Mulberry Whelk
Mulberry Whelks can grow to 2.5 cm high. They have an off-white coloured shell. Their shell has many black bumps.
Mulberry Whelks bore holes into the tops of the barnacles and pull out the animals with their tongues.
Mulberry Whelks live on the rocky shores of eastern Australia.
Mulberry Whelks eat barnacles, oysters and tube worms.
Mulberry Whelks bore a hole into the shell of their prey with their rough tongue. They use their tongue to cut up the animal in the shell. They suck out pieces of animal though the hole and eat them.
Birds, octopuses, crabs and fish eat Mulberry Whelks.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
