Limacina helicina

Limacina helicina is a small, free-floating sea snail found in cold ocean waters, especially around Antarctica and northern regions. It belongs to a group called pteropods, known as "sea butterflies" due to their wing-like appendages used for swimming. These tiny creatures play a vital role in ocean ecosystems by feeding on tiny algae and serving as prey for larger animals. They are also important indicators of ocean health because their shells, made of calcium carbonate, are vulnerable to ocean acidification caused by increased carbon dioxide levels.