Although the Ampullariidae is a family of freshwater snails, its common occurrence on the Texas coast gives rise to discussion, as most avid shell collectors will certainly come across this species at some point. The ampullariids are operculate freshwater snails with very small to large shells (10 to 1 50 mm, or 2/5 to 6 in), which are ovately conic, globosely turbinate, or rarely, pyramidal or planorbiform. Sculpture on the shell can be absent or present as nodules, spiral cords, or axial ribs (Andrews 1977). The operculum is corneous and paucispiral with a central nucleus. The radula is taenioglossate, and a monopectinate ctenidium is present in the mantle cavity. Some members have an apomorphic separate lung (Andrews 1977). Pomacea flagellata is frequently washed up on the Texas beaches after being displaced from its tropical home by river outflow. Fishers have dredged these snails from as deep as 36 m (120 ft). Gases from the rotting animal are sealed in, which keeps the animal afloat indefinitely or until the operculum is wedged apart or weakened in some fashion (Andrews 1977).