Phyllonotus pomum
The Apple Murex shell is easy to identify with its spiny vertical folds, ridges and fine encircling lines. It is white to pinkish white and has a large round aperture (opening). It is one of six Murex snail species found in Florida.
This gastropod lives on coral reefs, mangroves, rubble, rock, sand, seagrass and shell beds. It is carnivorous, drilling holes in bivalves to feed on their bodies.
The Apple Murex is a communal spawner. Multiple snails work together to build a shared egg casing that can be over a foot in diameter. The egg mass resembles a large sea sponge.
Live shells should never be taken from any Florida State Park.