Tunicate or anemone(?) on Lightning Whelk shell Although the animal in the shell is gone, it still a home for many other animals.
Gastropod Sanibel Island, FL Dec. 17, 2009 The Banded Tulip is a gastropod, meaning "stomach-footed". These animals have one shell. Many gastropods are carnivores or scavengers, but some are herbivores that eat algae.
The foot and flat, brown operculum are visible on this live Banded Tulip snail. The operculum is like a "door" to seal the animal safely into its shell.
