Fragile air-breather

Community type

Tidal flats

Habitat type

Saltmarsh and tidal flats

A delicate shell covers this very hardy animal which is common on sand flats and salt marshes, especially in Ralphs Bay. It feeds on fine sediments, and is highly abundant as it can survive on land as well as in water. It is unusual because it can breathe air and move about on dry land, enabling it to exploit saltmarshes.

Much of the text within the species area of our website was written by Veronica Thorpe, as part of the Derwent River Wildlife Guide (2000).

The DEP has developed a variety of classroom and outdoor activities focused around the key estuary habitats of tidal wetlands, salt marshes and rocky reefs. These include classroom materials, online resources, interpretive walks, games and sensory experiences.