- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Subclass: Caenogastropoda
- Order: Neogastropoda
- Superfamily: Muricoidea
- Family: Muricidae
- Scientific name: Nucella lapillus
- Norwegian: purpursnegl
Characteristics:
The shell is oval and conical, the last whorl constitutes 80 % of the total shell length. Spiral ridges, often crossed by fine growth lines, produce a checked surface. The shell may reach a length of 42 mm. White is common, but it may come in a variety of colors, both monochrome and striped versions.
Habitat:
It is common in the tidal zone, preferably on rocky locations. The dogwhelk is less frequent down to 40 meters depth.
Distribution:
It is widespread in the North-East Atlantic Ocean from the Arctic to the Straits of Gibraltar.