The common name turban snail presumably refers to the shell’s similarity in appearance to a turban. However, the scientific name Turbinidae is based on the genus name Turbo, which is Latin for spinning top, a child’s toy. The word turbine has a similar derivation.
Turbinidae have a strong, thick calcareous operculum readily distinguishing them from the somewhat similar Trochidae or top snails, which have a corneous operculum. This strong operculum serves as a passive defensive structure against predators that try to enter by way of the aperture or that would break the shell at the outer lip. Turbans and top shells are very common in the aquarium trade for their efficiency in clearing algae.
The star shells are unique in this group with a flattened shell and long hollow spines, presumably due to their deep sea habitat in soft mud. The astralium have sometimes very brilliant operculums with bright blues, pinks and red that look better than the actual shell itself.
Some grow really huge and heavy namely Turbo jourdani and Turbo marmoratus with shell lengths of over 200mm and weighting more than 2kgs! A favourite family of mine.