Turban and Top: telling them apart

Three NAKED facts

Thoughtful question: Do you think these two snails are of the same kind? Or are they different?
On the right is the Dwarf turban snail (Turbo bruneus, Family Turbinidae)
On the left is the Toothed top shell snail (Monodontia labio, Family Trochidae)

NF#1: To tell them apart, look at their undersides!Two different ways to keep out nasty crabs!

NF#2: Thick door is good On the right is the Dwarf turban snail (Turbo bruneus). The door to the shell opening (operculum) is thick and rounded. The smooth rounded surface makes it difficult for crabs get a grip. And the thick operculum is hard to crack.

The hemi-spherical operculum is called a 'cat's eye'. Sometimes you may come across loose 'cat's eyes' on the beach washed up from dead turban snails.

NF#3: Thin door works too On the left is the Toothed top shell snail (Monodontia labio). It has a single 'tooth' at the shell opening ('Mono'=one and 'dontia'=tooth). Its operculum is thin and flexible. The snail can pull the operculum deep into the shell to make it difficult for crabs to dig them out.