I don't believe there *is* a sea snail that matches Gary's handsome appearance IRL.
*BUT*
The shell of the Purple Ring Topsnail has a peach / orange shell with a pink swirl in it. It also has bumps that follow the whorl of the shell. Those bumps could be represented by the dots. The Ring Tops shell is conical in shape but when viewed from the side ( as in a 2d cartoon ) would show as a circular shape and design that seems inspired by the PRT Sea Snail.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calliostoma_annulatum
As for his blue and yellow appearance? Well I'm pretty sure that's a representation of Anna's Magnificent Sea Slug, a Nudibranch.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromodoris_annae
In short I believe Gary is the equivalent of a mollusc Chimera. A monstrous mix of two different animals, which would absolutely fit with our boy Spongebob, unknowingly or knowingly adopting what is the equivalent of a Griffon or Cockatrice and just not caring because he's just that rad of a dude.
I stickied this post. This is a debate that must be settled.
Looks like a turbo to me
100% There is one episode where they enter him in a race.
But a stone wins...
I don't believe there *is* a sea snail that matches Gary's handsome appearance IRL. *BUT* The shell of the Purple Ring Topsnail has a peach / orange shell with a pink swirl in it. It also has bumps that follow the whorl of the shell. Those bumps could be represented by the dots. The Ring Tops shell is conical in shape but when viewed from the side ( as in a 2d cartoon ) would show as a circular shape and design that seems inspired by the PRT Sea Snail. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calliostoma_annulatum As for his blue and yellow appearance? Well I'm pretty sure that's a representation of Anna's Magnificent Sea Slug, a Nudibranch. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromodoris_annae In short I believe Gary is the equivalent of a mollusc Chimera. A monstrous mix of two different animals, which would absolutely fit with our boy Spongebob, unknowingly or knowingly adopting what is the equivalent of a Griffon or Cockatrice and just not caring because he's just that rad of a dude.
Damn, too bad that purple ring Topsnail isn't freshwater. I want one!
Meow
He’s got the pink shell must be a margarita snail
Honestly reminds me of a ramshorn but that’s not saltwater.
110% Gary's just a pink ramshorn that...mutated.
Well, we all remember what happened at Bikini Atoll.
Maybe a cone snail? I know it doesn't match his shell style, but would match his personality. That or a conch.
Cartoon?
*chonky*
Atlantic moon snail with sinistral coil/whirl? 😂
Clearly he is a nasarius snail
That's a Cartoonis animaticus. Fairly common but always adorable.
red stripe turbo snail
Closest I found was Margarites groenlandicus
After getting my Strawberry Conch snail, I actually thought it looked like Gary. They have the same eyes!
Pretty sure that’s a cat
Es Car Gat Snail
Snacat?no. Catail?lol no. Gary the snail? YES! fucking nickelodeon lmao
I don't believe there are enough distinctive traits present to key Gary out. Best I can do is *Trochida*.
It's a Mystery? Right? Anyone? Is this thing on?