Coastal Creature Feature
The June Creature was the Northern Moon Snail. These snails can grow up to 5 inches high and wide. They live on the sandy bottoms of coastal waters up to 1,200 feet deep. This snail uses its powerful foot, called a radulae, to attack and then eat clams by boring neat, round holes in the valves (pictured top right). Last month’s picture displayed their unique collar-shaped egg case (pictured at bottom). Congratulations to Parker and Campbell Allen of Yardley, PA, for being drawn from a pool of correct entries this month.
August Creature: This species, originally from the Far East, recently began appearing along the Jersey Shore. While the name of this creature makes it sound less threatening, its presence on the Atlantic Coast could potentially disrupt the existing ecosystem and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service lists this species as “Injurious Wildlife.” The hairs and bristles on the claws of this “invader” inspired its name. To enter for a chance to win a COA T-shirt, use the online form below, or send your guess by mail or fax (18 Hartshorne Dr., Suite 2, Highlands, NJ 07732; 732-872-8041).
