Scientific name:

Littorina littorea

About:

A rounded, whorled shell, up to 3 cm across, usually greyish brown in colour. Found on rocks and amongst seaweeds around the middle to lower parts of the shore. Feeds by grazing on algae.

How to identify:

<p>Told from similar snail-like periwinkles and topshells by the slightly larger size, rounded shape and generally plainer colours.</p>

Where:

All around our shores

Fantastic facts:

Winkles are often sold (boiled) as a snack at the seaside, when they are eaten with vinegar and white pepper, using a pin to pull them out of their shells. Yum!