**Lettered Olive**
The lettered olive (Oliva sayana) is a species of marine gastropod mollusk in the family Olividae. It is known for its smooth, elongated shell marked with distinctive dark, letter-like patterns, which give the species its common name.
## Description
The lettered olive has a glossy, cylindrical shell that typically ranges from 4 to 7 centimeters in length. Its coloration varies from pale tan to light brown, adorned with dark brown or black markings resembling letters or script. The shell’s surface is smooth and polished, a characteristic feature of the Olividae family. The animal itself has a soft body with a well-developed foot used for burrowing in sandy substrates.
## Distribution and Habitat
Oliva sayana is found along the western Atlantic coast, from North Carolina in the United States down to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. It inhabits shallow, sandy environments, often burrowing just beneath the surface where it can hunt for prey and avoid predators.
## Behavior and Diet
The lettered olive is a carnivorous snail, feeding primarily on small bivalves and other invertebrates. It uses its siphon to detect prey and its radula to capture and consume food. This species is mostly nocturnal, emerging at night to forage.
## Reproduction
Reproduction in Oliva sayana involves internal fertilization. Females lay egg capsules in the sand, from which planktonic larvae eventually hatch and disperse before settling to the substrate and developing into adults.
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**Meta Description:**
The lettered olive (Oliva sayana) is a marine snail known for its smooth, patterned shell. It inhabits sandy coastal areas of the western Atlantic and feeds on small invertebrates.