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Flamingo Tongue

Flamingo tongue snails are gastropods — a type of mollusk most commonly known as slugs and snails.  You might think this creature is named for its resemblance to the tongues of flamingos — but in reality, they look nothing alike!  

 

Flamingo tongue snails live in Caribbean, tropical and sub-tropical Atlantic waters. They can be found as far north as North Carolina and as far south as Brazil. They only grow up to about 2.5 cm (0.9 inches) long and have a pale-yellow shell, which is often completely covered by their distinctive brightly spotted soft body, which they extend out around their shell. These snails only cover their shells with their bodies when they are unthreatened.  

Flamingo tongue snails are slow grazing feeders and often eat common sea fans, a type of coral. The snails feed by scraping polyps off the corals, which the coral typically regrows. Although they graze on common sea fans, flamingo tongue snails don’t often eat enough of these to kill them. Healthy populations of these snails can help keep the coral reefs in balance. However, without their natural predators, the flamingo tongue snail populations can grow unchecked and potentially damage the reef ecosystems where they live. They are not immune to predation themselves and are preyed upon by pufferfish, spiny lobster, and other large predators like hogfish.   

 

 

As part of a coral reef ecosystem, flamingo tongue snails may be impacted by the impact climate change can have on coral reefs. Coral bleaching, warming waters, and ocean acidification can all negatively impact these delicate ecosystems.

 

 

Reducing global carbon emissions is critical to addressing global climate change and protecting coral reef ecosystems. Learn more about how Oceana is helping to tackle the climate crisis and protect critical marine habitat. 

 

 

 

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