Nature offers us countless interesting species to study. Such is the case of the violet snail or Janthina Janthina, a type of mollusk that has become very popular in recent years due to its radiant color. However, the popularity of this species has made it a target for commercial exploitation. If you are interested in learning more about the violet snail, continue reading and discover 10 curiosities about one of the rarest mollusks in the world.
As its name indicates, The violet snail has a deep purple tint inside which has been misused for pigmentation in clothing, accessories and is even used as an accompaniment to exotic cocktails. This was reported by a work team from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in Mexico. At we tell you some important information about the famous violet snail.
10 Curiosities of the Violet Snail
The Janthina Janthina is a holoplanktonic marine snail, that is, an organism present only in the marine environment. Violet snails live in the upper layer of the sea (this is why they are easy to exploit) and float upside down hanging from a raft of air bubbles covered with mucus specially created as a bed for their habitat. We present some of its most interesting curiosities.
1. About his name
The scientific name of Janthina Janthina is Plicopurpura pansa. However, it is popularly called Violet marine snaildue to the color of its shell.
2. Almost blind
The Violet snail is almost blind, his little eyes are sunken in his head. To find their food they have to swing their head from one side to the other to be able to observe.
3. Where do you live?
They live in tropical and subtropical waters, but with changes in currents, these curious animals can appear on much colder coasts, such as in the North Atlantic sea.
4. Rafts and bubbles
The violet snail It stays floating in the water from the bubbles that it itself is capable of creating.. The technique with which it manages to stay safe on the surface of the sea is called “bubble-raft” and consists of creating a small raft full of bubbles, which can be confused with eggs.
5. What do you eat?
The diet of this species is based on jellyfishif it finds one of its possible prey it will leave its bubble quilt to hunt.
6. A big-headed animal
The Janthina Janthina has a large head, small eyes (located on its tentacles), a fairly flexible neck and of course, its characteristic shell.
7. They change sex
Curiously, all purple snails are born maleHowever, as they develop they become females.
8. About its size
In the violet snail shells the characteristic color is found. This part of their small bodies can measure 38 to 40 millimeters high.
9. Why does it have ink?
The purple ink that these mollusks have, It is stored in a capsule inside the shell and its use consists of a defense method, since it allows mollusks to pour said liquid on any predator to affect them. Its ink is said to have narcotic effects.
10. It could disappear
Factors such as exploitation, climate change and lack of knowledge about the species have led to these rare and extraordinary mollusks being on the list of animals in danger of extinction.
History of purple snail exploitation
As we have mentioned previously, the violet snail has become one of the favorites of various companies and economic sectors. Starting in 1980, a Japanese company called Imperial Purple went to Huatulco, in the state of Oaxaca in curious Mexico, to obtain the purple dye that these mollusks offer, all with in order to be able to pigment the threads they produced and sell them.
The workers of said company in the textile sector They misused metal hooks to hold mollusks in question and, thus, spread 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. This fact almost managed to wipe out the entire species!
Fortunately, in 1985, the inhabitants of Pinotepa de Don Luis denounced what the Japanese company was doing with the characteristic species of the area, at which time the activity was prohibited and quickly stopped. However, currently, There are many people who add purple snails to make drinks aphrodisiacs; that they make in order to attract the attention of tourists.
So again, after almost 35 years of having stopped its exploitation in the textile sector, the violet snail is affected again, this time by adding its dye and shell to drinks served in bars in the area. Violet snail researchers estimate that if a strategy is not implemented to prohibit the illegal use of snail dyes, In three years it could be an extinct animal.
Definitely, man is once again doing his thing with a species that Today it is in danger of extinctionthanks to the abuse that has been carried out throughout history with this beautiful mollusk that, if it continues to be exploited, could very soon disappear.
Where to see the Violet Snail?
The purple mollusk is known to live on the Pacific coast from Baja California to Peru., but if you are wondering what to see in Mexico, the answer would be to visit the Pinotepa coast of San Luis, in the extreme southwest of Oaxaca. This small town, inhabited by artisans or «tinteros» who have dedicated a lot of time to preserving the violet snail, as they use its dye for crafts (appropriately), promote knowledge about this species and have a strong commitment to preservation that Huatulco National Park helps. So, don’t hesitate to visit them!
Let us know in the comments What is your opinion about the violet 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 more, we invite you to read about some rare marine animals, which, like the Janthina Janthina, have a lot to tell.