Like Maryland s official fossil shell, Ecphora gardnerae , the lettered olive is a carnivorous snail. It lives in shallow water areas. The olive usually lies buried under the sand with only its siphon extended. But it will emerge in search of bivalves, such as clams and oysters. The olive carries its prey with its strong foot under the sand to digest.
Olives also eat marine worms.
Ravenel gave the lettered olive the scientific name Oliva sayana . This name honors his friend, the famous conchologist Thomas Say. That is why it is called the lettered olive. After a lettered olive dies, the glossy shell quickly becomes dulled by pounding waves. But shells that were well-preserved may still be shiny, some even boasting traces of color.