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Busycon contrarium
This shell has been used as garden decoration as is common in the area. It is only about 12cm long. The Lightning Whelk is native to this area.
The "muddy substrate" such as in shallow bays.
Obviously this sample has aged and faded.
Spotted on Jul 13, 2011
Submitted on Jul 14, 2011
3 Comments
Hi 1Sarah2,
Would you mind removing your shell photos from the Osteology Mission? Osteology is actually the study of vertebrate bones. It's a detailed study of the structure of bones, the skeletal elements, teeth, morphology, function and disease. Osteology aids in identifying vertebrate remains with regard to age, death, sex, growth, and development. From what I understand is shells are actually exoskeletons created by marine mollusks. Thank you for your understanding! It really is a beautiful shell :)
Rare here also, but not unheard of. So much of it has to do with luck and having an idea of what you are looking for.
I love that first picture!! Nice one, very rare to find shells that big and that nice on beaches over here in England :)