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wentletrap
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wentletrap
wentletrap Wentletrap shells (Epitonium humphreysii).

wentletrap

gastropod family
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Also known as: Epitoniidae, ladder shell, staircase shell
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Also called:
staircase shell, or ladder shell

wentletrap, any marine snail of the family Epitoniidae (subclass Prosobranchia of the class Gastropoda), in which the turreted shell—consisting of whorls that form a high, conical spiral—has deeply ribbed sculpturing. Most species are white, less than 5 cm (2 inches) long, and exude a pink or purplish dye. Wentletraps occur in all seas, usually near sea anemones, from which they suck nourishment. The common wentletrap (Epitonium clathrus) occurs in European waters; the money wentletrap (E. indianorum) is common from Alaska to Mexico.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.