Identify commonly encountered species by shape and form.
This section is to help identify some of the more common species, frequently encountered around New Zealand.
Click on the group of images most similar to the specimen that you wish to identify.
Continue choosing the most similar group to narrow down your search. Use the text links below to go back or start again.
SnailsWith a single shell, coiled in a right-hand spiral
BivalvesShells mainly consisting of two valves, hinged by an elastic ligament and held closed by a pair of adductor muscles
Limpets, Paua and Limpet-like ShellsWith a single cap-shaped shell
ChitonsChitons. Limpet shaped animals which attach themselves to solid surfaces. The shell is divided into 8 small plaits or valves, running along the back of the animal, which are embedded in the mantle and surrounding girdle.
Nudibranchs, Sea Slugs and Sea HaresNo visible shell, usually brightly coloured. Often with external gills visible
CephalopodsThis class includes the extinct ammonites and belemnites, the living Cuttlefish, Octopus, Squids, Argonauts and Rams Horn Shells.
ScaphopodaTusk Shells have a tapered tube-like shell, open at each end. At the wide end is the plug-like foot of the animal, and the head from which extend bunches of slender tentacles.
Key to Geographical Ranges
The symbols K.A.C.F.M.An. are used to indicate the geographical range of the species.
They have been adopted to give an approximation of the range of each species within New Zealand.
K=
Kermadec Islands
A=
Aupourian - Kaipara Harbour, north around North Cape, encompassing the Three Kings Islands and south to East Cape
C=
Cookian - Lower North Island and the northern part of the South Island
F=
Forsterian - Otago, Fiordland and Stewart Island
M=
Moriorian - Chatham Islands, Pitt Island
An=
Antipodean - Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand
Fw =
Freshwater
L =
Land
N =
North Island
S =
South Island
E =
Endemic
I =
Introduced
R =
Recent
Sf =
Subfossil
Fo =
Fossil