Crepidula

/krɛˈpɪdjələ/ noun

Definition

A genus of small marine snails, commonly known as slipper limpets, found in shallow ocean waters worldwide.

Etymology

From Latin crepida (a type of slipper or sandal) + -ula (diminutive suffix), named because the snail's shell resembles a tiny slipper in shape.

Kelly Says

Crepidula snails practice extreme sexual flexibility—individuals change sex based on social conditions, and they stack on top of each other in bizarre chains, making them a biologist's dream for studying animal behavior!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.