The shells of turritellid species have whorls that are more convex and an aperture which is more circular than it is in the auger shells which are similarly high-spired. The columella is curved and the thin operculum is horny. These snails are filter feeders. This method of feeding is somewhat unusual among gastropod mollusks, but is very common in bivalves. These snails burrow into mud or sand. The foot is relatively small.