The shell has 8–10 well-rounded whorls, each of which shows many strong, curved axial ribs crossed by crowded, fine spiral threads (that may be worn away) on the outer layer.

It feeds on macro algae particles, benthic diatoms Pleurosignia sp., on detritus and also remains of animal matter, such as sponge spicules.

[citation needed] Sexes are separate or simultaneous hermaphrodites (but self-ferilization is usually prevented due to various mechanisms).

[citation needed] The American pelicanfoot has as potential predators the gastropod Colus stimpsoni Dall, 1902, the crab Cancer irrotatus Say, 1817 and the Atlantic wolffish Anarhichas lupus Linnaeus, 1758 .

The well-developed outer shell lips of the adults give them an adequate protection against the claws of Cancer irrotatus.