Overview
Description: Extremely variable in colour, shape and size. Shells vary from smooth and round shouldered, to sharply angled and nodulose at the shoulder with spiral grooves and ridges between shoulder and suture. Outer lip reflected, usually smooth, occasionally toothed posteriorly.
Colour: Uniform light brown or straw-coloured, some shells with spiral rows of brown blotches or axial streaks.
Size: Adults (thickened lip) 45-117 mm high (New Zealand specimens).
Comparison of similar species living within its distribution/depth range: Galeodea triganceae has nodular spiral threads.
Distribution: Throughout much of the New Zealand region, also temperate waters of Australia and South Africa.
Depth: Living at 8-430 m in New Zealand. May wash ashore alive after storms.