The Purple Snail | 10 Curiosities of this incredible color animal

Nature offers us countless interesting species to study. Such is the case of a type of mollusk that has become very popular in recent years due to its color: the purple snail. However, the popularity of this species has made it the favorite of people who exploit it for commercial purposes. If you are interested in learning more about the purple snail, continue reading and discover 10 curiosities about this incredible animal.

As the name implies, the purple snail has a dye inside it that has been misused for the elaboration of garments, accessories and even it was discovered that this species is highly sought after by people engaged in cocktails, as reported by a work team native of Mexico that is dedicated to preserve it. Let's discover together what makes the purple snail one of the most sought after mollusks.

10 Curiosities of the purple snail | What makes it so special, in addition to its interesting color?

1. The scientific name of the purple snail is Plicopurpura pansa . However, it is popularly called violet seashell , because of its color.

2. This mollusk is part of the Janthinidae family, specifically of the species Janthina janthina .

3. Although they are found in diverse waters of the world, highlighting those of the tropical seas, in Mexico and Peru are common .

4. The feeding of this species is based on jellyfish .

5. The purple snail keeps floating in the water from the bubbles that he himself is able to create. The technique with which he manages to stay safe on the surface of the sea is called " bubble-raft "And consists in the creation of a small raft full of bubbles, which are often mistaken for eggs.

6. The physical structure of the purple snail is as follows: it has a large head, small eyes (located in its tentacles) and a fairly flexible neck.

7. Interestingly all the purple snails are born being males , however, as they develop they become females.

8. The shells of purple snails they are where the characteristic color of these species is found. This part of their small bodies can measure from 38 to 40 millimeters high.

9. The purple ink that has this species in its interior is stored in a capsule and its use consists of a method of defense, since it allows molluscs to pour said liquid over any predator that affects them and grant them narcotic effects.

10. Factors such as exploitation, climate change and pollution have placed the purple snail in Danger of extinction .

History of the exploitation of the purple snail

As we mentioned before, the snail we are studying has become one of the favorites of various companies and economic sectors. From the year 1980, a company of Japanese origin called Purple Imperial went to Huatulco, in the state of Oaxaca curious Mexico , to obtain the purple dye that these species offer, all in order to be able to color the threads they produced and sell them.

The workers of the textile company they misused metal hooks to hold mollusks in question and, thus, smear the ink they expelled on the threads and garments they manufactured. This method of obtaining the dye caused the purple snails to die in a matter of seconds, which is why they were discarded after having obtained the maximum 3 milliliters (for each snail) that they are capable of expelling.

Fortunately, in 1985, the inhabitants of Pinotepa de Don Luis, another of the municipalities of the Mexican state, denounced what the Japanese company was doing with the species characteristic of the fauna of the area, at which time the activity was forbidden and stopped quickly. However, at present, There are many people who add these species to cocktails they elaborate in order to attract the attention of tourists, so again, after almost 35 years of having stopped their exploitation in the textile sector, the purple snail is again affected, this time by the addition of its dye and carapace to drinks that are served in bars in the area.

Definitely the man returns to make of his with a kind that nowadays it is in danger of extinction for the abuse that has been made throughout history with this beautiful mollusk that, if continued to be exploited, could soon disappear. Let us know in the comments what is your opinion about the purple snail and, of course, what do you think about the exploitation that man has been responsible for carrying out with so many species worldwide. If you want to know some rare marine animals , we invite you to stop by the Supercurioso article that we have prepared for you.