The murex is a type of marine mollusk belonging to the family Muricidae. These sea snails are known for their distinctive, spiky shells, which can vary in color and size. Murex snails are found in warm, shallow waters around the world, often inhabiting rocky or sandy substrates. Historically, murex shells were significant in ancient cultures, particularly in the production of Tyrian purple, a highly valued dye. This dye was extracted from the gland of the murex and was used to color textiles, symbolizing wealth and royalty in civilizations such as the Phoenicians and the Romans.