Haustrum scobina

Haustrum scobina, or the oyster borer, is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails. Oyster borers use a mucous layer that surrounds the entrance to their shell to prevent desiccation in the midlittoral and high tidal zones. Oyster Borers are frequently found in crevices which have more protection from predators, higher water availability, lower temperature, extremes in salinity and protection from the sun and wind.

Description
The length of the shell varies between 14 mm and 35 mm.

Distribution
It is endemic to New Zealand and is found off the North, South, Stewart and the Chatham Islands. This species generally prefers inter-tidal zones, such as the Hauraki Gulf of Auckland, New Zealand.