[1] The shells often show various muted but attractive colors, and may be patterned also.

They are marine gastropod molluscs in the family Olividae within the main clade Neogastropoda.

According to the Revised Classification, Nomenclator and Typification of Gastropod Families (2017)[2] the family Olividae consists of five subfamilies:[3] Olive snails are found worldwide, in subtropical and tropical seas and oceans.

They secrete a mucus similar to that of the Muricidae, from which a purple dye can be made.

Olive shells have a siphonal notch at the posterior end of the long narrow aperture.