Abstract
The Japanese Hoof Shell (Hipponix conicus) is an epizoic mollusc and chiefly attaches on the ear shell. The author has observed on its behavior and found some interesting results. It mainly faces the spiracles of ear shell or columellar lips of Turbinid and Muricid molluscs, and extends its long proboscis, which is thrice as long as its shell, to the mantle edge and nibbles their mucous materials and evacuations. According to the growth of host gastropods, it moves on their shells and sometimes deeply erodes the ostracum of the host. Sometimes there is found a free living shell on the rocky shore, which feeds on diatoms and micro-algae grown on the substratum.
