A large shell, with an obvious spiral row of knobs and wavy vertical brown streaks. Adults have athickened lip to the aperture (opening), that has been likened to an ostrich foot (hence the common name!). Shell of the juveniles do not have this and may be confused with other whelks. Southern ostrich foot snails are larger than northern ones. The animal is salmon pink and the operculum ("door") is thick and horny and smaller than the aperture.

Usually found only in shallow water. Sand flats in sheltered to open coasts.

A predator.

If the animal becomes stranded on it's back it can use the pointed end of the operculum ("door") to flip itself right way up!

Common Seashells of New Zealand: Parkinson
Coastal Marine Inverts Vol 1