Purple janthina – The Floating Sailor

Unlike most snails that crawl along the seabed, the Purple Janthina floats at the ocean’s surface, supported by a raft of air bubbles it creates with its foot. Drifting in the open sea, it preys on jellyfish-like creatures, including the venomous Portuguese Man o’ War.

Janthinas are a striking violet color, and in ancient times, they were used to produce a rare purple dye, much like the Murex snails of antiquity. Their survival is closely tied to ocean currents, and they are often found washed ashore after storms.

These delicate drifters highlight the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems and the incredible diversity of mollusks.