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Purple Topshell

Gibbula umbilicalis

This attractive marine snail has a shell that can show hints of purple, green, or grey in a spiralled pattern. Around Lihou’s tidepools, it grazes on algal films, helping keep rock surfaces from becoming overgrown. If you gently turn stones at low tide, you may spot its distinctive whorl and sometimes a bright pink interior lip.

  • Habitat: Rocky shores, often in mid to lower intertidal zones.
  • When to See: Year-round
  • Length: Up to ~1.5 cm

Β© 2026 The Lihou Charity LBG – About Us

The Lihou Charity LBG is a Guernsey Registered Company 72028, a Guernsey Registered Charity CH178 and also a member of the Guernsey Association of Charities No. 265.