title: Golden volute
text: # Golden volute
  
  The golden volute, Iredalina mirabilis, is a species of rare, large, deepwater sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Volutidae, the volutes.
  
  This is the only species in the genus; in other words, Iredalina is a monotypic genus.
  
  ## Distribution
  
  This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found off the east coast.
  
  ## Habitat
  
  This volute lives at depths of between 180 and 700 m, although empty shells are sometimes found in shallower water, presumably carried there by hermit crabs.
  
  ## Shell description
  
  This rare shell is highly prized by collectors.
  
  The shell height is up to 140 mm, and the width up to 48 mm.
  
  