Home > Invertebrates > Shells > Periwinkles

Updated 11/9/2025

Family Littorinidae

Periwinkles

Periwinkles are algal grazers found high above the waterline on rocky shores.  They move vertically with the tide.  They are capable of trapping water within the shell and hibernate for extended periods if required.

 

HAWAII - ENDEMIC

Echinolittorina hawaiiensis 

HAWAIIAN PERIWINKLE

 

 Echinolittorina hawaiiensis 

HAWAIIAN PERIWINKLE

 
   

 

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Littoraria pintado

DOTTED PERIWINKLE

 

 Peasiella tantilla

KEELED PERIWINKLE

 
Littoraria coccinea

SCARLET PERIWINKLE

 

 Littoraria scabra

MANGROVE PERIWINKLE

 

 

Family Planaxidae

Cluster Winks

Thick shells found in tight clusters on rocky shores near brackish water.

 INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Hinea zonata

DWARF PACIFIC CLUSTER WINK

 

Family Ellobiidae

Air-breathing Snails

Air-breathing snails found along rocky shorelines, especially where freshwater enters the sea.  They are related to land snails.  Formerly known as the Family Melampidae.

 INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Allochroa layardi

LAYARD'S AIR-BREATHING SNAIL

 

 Laemodonta octanfracta

CORDED AIR-BREATHING SNAIL

Melampus castaneus

COFFEE BEAN SNAIL

 

 Melampus cf. flavus

YELLOW COFFEE BEAN SNAIL