The true tulip (Fasciolaria tulipa) is smaller than the horse conch and lightning whelk but is observed more frequently in Florida marine waters. Jingle shells are named for the sound they make when several are strung together to make a wind chime. The usual suspects, sharks, stingrays, and jellyfish, are all present in the Gulf. Periwinkles lap up diatoms and filamentous algae, and follow each others mucous trails, up and down the stalks. Among the most toxic are the textile, geographic, and tulip snails and there is a higher risk of death if the geographic and textile snails are involved. Fatal stings are very uncommon, with most being like a bee sting. They can be as small as 1/4 of an inch on up to 5 inches. Chances are, those are old sea snail shells! Theyre just as likely to swim by or avoid a snorkeler as theyre to attack. Get Your Free Shell Identification Chart HERE! The mollusks that once lived in these shells have been extinct for 65 million years. Theyre most active in the fall and around dawn and dusk in the Gulf. Science. Its shells can reach a length of 5 inches (120 millimeters) and have several sharp spines located around the top, giving it a crownlike appearance. Size: 2-4 cm. Wow! Browse and enjoy! The jackknife clam lives in sand and mud and can swim by shooting jets of water out of its shell. Required fields are marked *, Top 16 Deadliest Animals In North Carolina. They live deep in the ocean on coral reefs and use their 90 tentacles to gather food. Size: 14-16 per lb. Snails have only one shell that is continuously secreted from their mantle, coiling around the body. Small Shells Lettered olive Oliva sayana Max Size: 2.4 inches (60 mm) Crown cone Conus regius Max Size: 2.8 inches (70 mm) Common dove shell Columbella mercatoris Linne Max Size: 0.5 inches (13 mm) Giant Atlantic pyram Pyramidella dolabrata dolabrata Theyre striped with brown or maroon and white and have long tentacles on top. Those landing data can be found in theCommercial Fisheries Landings in Floridaarticle. Softshell clams are native to the East coast but can also be found on the West coast. I have found several in North Carolina. Starfish, the Asteroidea, are the symbol of marine life. The same cant be said for the deep sea, which is filled with more species than you might expect. All capture their prey by means of harpoon-like hollow teeth (radula) that are rapidly jabbed into their prey to inject the toxic venom. Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). So, what are the best local beaches I can visit? But the slugs have another defense they are poisonous. It is a smooth, shiny, cylindrical -shaped shell with a short spire. Makes my 90 yr old mind glow! This clam is named for its extremely sharp rim, which can injure someone walking on the beach. They come in many colors, including orange, white, purple, and yellow. Photo: California Sea Grant. This small, pretty shell (less than one inch in length) is found in the Indian Ocean along Madagascar and the Western Pacific. Will definitely add another dimension to my daughters collection! Some cephalopods are quite intelligent and have shown they can solve problems to reach their food. 2015 DEEPEND/Dant Fenolio, Sargasum Crab. What Makes Them Dangerous: Uni (sea urchin eggs) may be a tasty treat, but the spines that protect it are dangerous. The things that make them beautiful also make them dangerous. Most shark attacks arent deadly because the shark is simply tasting and exploring a potential meal. Re: Cone snails in Florida. Thank you. There are many ways to safely enjoy the beaches and waters of the Gulf without running into them. Tea Drillia. Many gastropods are carnivores, but some are herbivores, and some are scavengers. Thanks for reading! Would you like a free printable of all the shells below for your next beach trip? This shell comes from a squid-like mollusk and is often called a Rams Horn Shell. Super helpful, visually appealing and fun + concise! You would think what is the point of an internal shell? good question. These clams are native to Korea, China, and Japan but arrived in the Pacific Northwest from ships ballast water. Common Name: Black Murex, Conch, Murex Snails, Rock Snails. This group is not as popular as a food item as other mollusk but there are some. These are deposited on the seafloor and the young are born with their shell ready for life. The dy (e)ing art of Mexico's Mixtecs. I hope to find one someday! Spindle-shaped shells that can grow to more than a foot and red . It also has an incredible lifespan of 140 years. Fertilized eggs are often encased in structures that resemble clusters, or chains, of plastic. Some snail shells have a thin extension near the head that protects the siphon a tube that acts like a snorkel drawing water in and out of the body. Seashells are so beautiful. The shell of a true tulip is smooth and spindle-shaped with several whorls, or spirals, in the shell. Glad it was helpful. Definition Of Sea Snakes & General Information Sea snakes' proper name is Hydrophiinae. People have kept lionfish in aquariums for decades because of their markings. Shells are made by some types of mollusks, soft bodied animals such as snails, slugs, mussels, or octopus. There have been reports of divers losing fingers and kayakers attacked by barracuda. I had no idea there was so different kind of shells. Some of the more common snails you will find along our portion of the Gulf of Mexico are: Crown Conch Olive Murex Banded Tulip, Whelks Cowries Bonnets Cerith, Slippers Moon Oyster Drills Bubble. It can get as large as 4 1/2 inches and is found from Florida up to North Carolina. It occurs in greenhouses and nurseries, where it can be found under potted plants, so it is . Dont forget to get your free printable of these shells for your next beach trip! It has a smooth, elongated and polished shell. They are called softshell because the shell can break easily when you are digging for them. this species is now established in the states that border the Gulf of Mexico (Walls 2009), including northern and central Florida. After the spill, scientists were severely limited in their ability to estimate the amount of damage to the ecosystem since hardly any baseline data existed for comparison. These snails are shaped like augers or screws and come in 400 different species. They're built on a base of 15- to 200-pound stones. Its so fun to find and collect them. You can also track shark activity online through sites like Ocearch.org. The Gulf of Mexico served as an essential trade route to the early native people who lived along its shores. Stingrays Common throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast U.S., Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, stingrays often swim within a few yards of shore, where they prey on tiny fish and shellfish. Sea Snail; Squid; Trigger Fish; . To be honest with you,we hate paying for camping. And thanks for mentioning Honeymoon Island State Park in Florida. They grow attached to hard surfaces or connected to other large groups of worm snails. Sand dollars are easily found during low tide on the beach near by the Sandbar Restaurant. This spine covered shell can be found from North Carolina to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. Ark Clams. Periwinkles have been an important food source for parts of the world since around 7500 B.C.E. One group of snails that co-occurs with deep-sea corals throughout this region are the slit-snails, long considered to be "living fossils." Stay calm when swimming around barracuda and no sudden moves. The fascinating bat sea star ( Asterina miniata) is called so because of the webbingresembling bat wingsbetween its arms. The snail that occupies the pretty cone shells transports a deadly toxin capable of killing humans; capable of killing 700 people to be exact. If you get stung more than once, you may experience shortness of breath, shock, and even death. What Makes Them Dangerous: Sharks are dangerous because theyre not picky eaters and are curious. These snails play numerous roles in their ecosystems. Many of, Crocodiles are among the most terrifying animals of all time. Theyre known for the spines that extend from their fins when excited or threatened. It appears very (VERY!) Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! A cone-shaped pointed gastropod about 2 inches long. According to Andrew P. Nosal, a shark specialist, it turns out that grabbing at eyes and gills is a better defense. Even in a developed area like the Gulf of Mexico, dangerous creatures pose a risk to unobservant beachgoers. The five U.S. states have jurisdiction in the state territorial waters, or seas, which extend out into the Gulf of Mexico 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off the shoreline of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and 9 nautical miles off Texas and western Florida (NMFS 2010 ). PULMONATA: GASTRODONTOIDEA HELICOIDEA. and northern Gulf of Mexico Size: Up to 5in (13cm) in . Male is said to eject water, setting up vibrations, to attract a mate. The enzymes then soften the flesh of the prey so the snail can devour its victim. Its really interesting how long sea life can live. Newer shells will have longer spines. Cockles are a species of saltwater clams known for their tasty, delicate flesh and salty flavor. A long, thin state on the Gulf of Mexico, Veracruz is known for many of its seafood dishes. These snails are carnivorous (meat-eaters) and eat mostly bivalves (two shells) and other snails, including other horse conchs. How to Avoid Them: With sea urchins, the best thing to do is keep your eyes open. Click on any of the seashell identification photos for information about each shell, where they were found, who found these shells and so much more. Im so glad you found a shell you like. Im getting a 5 year old grandson of a neighbor interested in seashells by letting him pick a shell that he is drawn to and telling him a story about it. It was interesting to learn from @erin_seney that some Kemp's ridley #seaturtles in the N Gulf of Mexico are eating more fish and shrimp while others eat a more natural diet of crabs and snails. This post may contain affiliate links to help keep the Trippy content coming. The nasty globs can damage beaches to the point that professionals must remove the top layer of sand. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building Worm Shells The narrow, coiled tubes of sea snails are very different from regular snails. The infection can lead to serious complications and even death. 2015 DEEPEND/Dant Fenolio. I love it! Save. Each: $17.00 Large Each: $25.50 (4-8cm) Eared snail ( Sinum maculatum) M-850 EAR SNAIL, Sinum maculatum The Junonia is more rare, and is considered a special find by beachcombers. Hi there! A primitive uni-valve gastropod. I have a goal to get even more shells on my list. 01 Mar 2023 20:44:49 Shell description [ edit] The shell of this species can be about 6 cm ( 214 in) long (maximum reported size reaches 9.1 cm [2] ). As 2022 comes to a close, I am reflecting on everything weve accomplished together on behalf, Climate change touches many aspects of our lives, including the food on our plates. This marine species occurs from in the Caribbean Sea and in the Gulf of Mexico; in the Atlantic Ocean off Brasil . If you dont, theyll let you know. Sand dollars live up to 10 years. Size 4-6 cm. 2015 DEEPEND/Dant Fenolio, Scopelosaurus mauli. Their thick calcium carbonate shells protect them from most predators in the sea but not all. This shell is rarely found on the beach and is often mistaken for a Ponderous Ark Clam. The shell coils around a linear piece of shell called the columella. This is very helpful! I always try to not take too many because I dont want to disturb the beaches ecosystem. I understand why collectors would want the lightening shell, its gorgeous. About Tar Balls: Of course, one of the more dangerous creatures in the Gulf of Mexico is us humans. The most encountered slug is the sea hare. If you do catch one, or a dozen, theyre difficult to clean carefully. TYPE LOCALITY Gulf slope of Sierra de la Gigante, southwest of Muleje [Muleg], 2.9 miles south of El Potrero, along trail from Pie de La Cueta to Guajademi, in rock slide about 1.5 miles from Pie de La Cueta, Baja California Sur; ca. Snorkelers are the safest in the water because sharks arent looking at them from below. But you die as well, so Not too worry, poisonous slugs are brightly colored a universally understood signal to all predators. C.W., J.F. There is an opening in the shell where the snail can extend much of its body this is called the aperture and some species can close this off with a bony plate called an operculum when they are inside. Deep-water habitats were most affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010 because that is where the oil leak occurred and where much of the oil settled. This gorgeous shell can be found along the Atlantic coast of North American, starting at North Carolina down to Bermuda and Brazil. What Makes Them Dangerous: Hardhead catfish ooze a mild toxin that infects any cut they inflict. 15 Creatures in the Gulf of Mexico that are Stranger Than Fiction, DEEPEND (Deep Pelagic Nekton Dynamic of the Gulf of Mexico) Consortium. The Lightning Whelk is the state shell of Texas and can grow up to 15 inches long. The tooth connects to a poison duct so that the cone can rapidly incapacitate prey. They can be found throughout Florida marine waters, foraging in seagrass beds or buried in sandy sediments. Cities like Gulf Shore, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida provide easy access to warm, shallow waters of the Gulf. Their thick calcium carbonate shells protect them from most predators in the sea but not all. Natural oil leaks can also cause tar balls. The Gulf of Mexico is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida, between Cuba and the U.S. state of Florida. It can grow to a length of 16 inches (400 millimeters) and is easily identifiable by the left-handed opening of the shell meaning when you look at the shell, the opening is on the left. These beautiful shells can even sell for a high price today. Many are absolutely beautiful, and you wonder how such small simple creatures can create such beauty. Its shell length is usually smaller than the true tulip, reaching up to 4 inches (100 millimeter). Im so jealous Ive seen a lot of Snake Head Cowrys for sale on Etsy. They have pretty good eyes and excellent sense of smell. I will definitely be back to this post the next time I find an interesting seashell. They possess a stylet at the tip of their siphon (similar to the worms we have been writing about) which they can use as a dart for prey such as fish. The Chiton is found in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Now theres an easy way to know what kind of shell youve found. Cerith snails are mostly found in tropical waters. Thats awesome that youve found a way to keep the shells youve collected. They are not aggressive. Read More Secret Shelling Beaches in North CarolinaRead More Okaloosa Island, FL This Beach Is A Hidden Gem. Florida Fighting Conch - Bay. Limpets attach themselves to rocks so strongly that powerful currents cant remove them. I hope you get a chance to do some shelling I hope you find some complete ones. For example, what do you think is the most diverse group of animals in the Gulf of Mexico? Possibly due to bycatch? Because of the way they look, they are sometimes known as "Mermaid's toenails." Olive Shells Olive shells come in an elongated oval shape and tend to bleach white in the sun. The short descriptions of the ones covered here are excellent. My daughter love to collect shells. The black siphon can be seen in this crown conch crawling across the sand.Photo: Franklin County Extension. Pearl oysters are harvested for the pearls they produce. Do cone snails live in the Gulf of Mexico? The lightning whelk (Busycon sinistrum) is one of the larger univalve snails found in Florida waters. The empty shells look like butterflies when laid flat. You can actually tell how old they are by the rings on the plates of their test. How to Avoid Them: Sharks will mostly bite if theyre hungry. Oregon encourages people to dig for these calms, and you can collect 72 clams per day. The Geoduck is the largest burrowing clam globally, growing up to 6 feet long and weighing 15 pounds. 10 It is found along . Home The Most Dangerous Creatures in the Gulf of Mexico. Thats so cool that you got to go shelling in the Bahamas! What Makes Them Dangerous: Lionfish eat other sea creatures, and their tentacles pack a punch. There are dozens of species in the Gulf of Mexico. Some scallops even squirt jets of water from around the edge of their shells to help them escape from predators. It has a long proboscis and moves by ciliary waves on foot. It sounds amazing! Also, avoid areas where sea urchins live at night. They can significantly impact freshwater macrophytes and reduce water quality. Whelks get much larger, while Nassarius don't. At least Nassarius vibex, that is. The Cantharus shell grows up to 1 1/2 inches and has knobs on the outside of the shell. However, when a piece of shrimp is dropped in the tank, the snail thrusts its siphon up and emerges, dramatically upheaving the substrate and pouncing on the food. Me and my family live towards the center of the country, so driving to the beach means driving for a million hours or so. Receive email updates to learn how you can help make a difference for the future of our ocean. From below, these activities make the human look like other marine life. Marine snails, also referred to as prosobranchs, are characterized by their soft and flexible body, as well as their conical or spiral shell. The largest dead zone in the United States forms each summer in the Gulf of Mexico over the Louisiana/Texas continental shelf (LUMCON 2018); at its largest the zone was measured at over 22,000 km 2 in 2017 (USEPA 2022). Click on column title to sort by that column. I love seashells so much I bought a beautiful display case with 5 glass shelves to display them. About Hardhead Catfish: Hardhead catfish look somewhat like their freshwater cousins. Swimmers and snorkelers are unlikely to find cone snails in shallow intertidal waters. . Great guide for one of my favorite vacation pastimes! Tell us in the comments! And in some places, its illegal to take empty shells. with a specific emphasis on the continued conservation of Gulf of Mexico estuaries, such as the Mobile-Tensaw Delta in Alabama. I live somewhat near Idaho and Oregon. Habitat: These snails prefer to live on sandy bottoms in shallow water. I differ with just one shell on your list. However, you can avoid them if you pay attention. Thank you. And if you see a man o war washed up on the beach, steer clear! Sea lice, common in the Gulf of Mexico, arent actually lice but are the larva of jellyfish and much harder to avoid than the adults. This unique shell is hard to find intact as it has over 100 spines that can break off. unlikely that you would see, much less be affected by a cone snail along a Florida beach. M-912 TURBO CASTANEA OR TOP SNAIL Astria sp. Fertilized eggs are often encased in structures that resemble clusters, or chains, of plastic. Size: 8 cm. If sea urchin spines break the skin, they cause a painful wound. But the slugs have another defense they are poisonous. Of those 30, scientists consider just three to be the most dangerous. Artificial bait will also reduce hits from hardheads. On the Sea of Cortez side of Baja, the season for . I learned sooo much!! Lined Sea Star - Bay. The sea world is so amazing! The best times to look for shells are after a high tide, after a storm, in the morning, and during the winter months. Feeding barracuda strike quickly and ferociously into schools of fish and sometimes swimmers. Wish I had this recently when we were staying in the outer banks for our 25th! On the barrier island across the estuary from Ro Lagartos, on the sandy, wave-washed beach facing the Gulf of Mexico and beside the canal connecting the Gulf with the estuary, a hand-sized clump of algae washed ashore looking like a tangle of green, forked spaghetti. If a hardhead cuts you, expect to need medical treatment. 46 reviews. I also found an amazingly gorgeous and shiny white olive shell with yellow stripes.. its so different from the ones we have on the coast of North Carolina! Moon Snail close up . Live Spirula are rarely seen as they are deep ocean dwellers, but shells are common to find on tropical beaches. Popular wisdom is that punching a shark is your best defense. (2014) Tolerance of the island apple snail (Pomacea maculata) to . Tar balls are a beach hazard thats almost entirely a result of human activity. Youve done us a marvelous service with the pictures and stories of each one. Theyve been used for jewelry and as a form of currency dating back 100,000 years. 2015 DEEPEND/Dant Fenolio, Larval Plesiopenaeus armatus. Whelk Egg case . The Florida fighting conch (Strombus alatus) is a medium-sized marine snail that is commonly found throughout Florida waters. Please try You would think what is the point of an internal shell? good question. or contact 1.888.780.6763, Former Digital Production and Community Coordinator, speak up and tell your legislators you support improving Floridas water quality, Contact your House representative to ask them to support legislation to protect our ocean from the effects of climate change, Seafood Species Vulnerable to Climate Change. There are many different kinds of mussels, some living in the sea and others in freshwater. Shell collecting is so much fun. Snails of Mexico & Central America: Part 5. Some cephalopods are quite intelligent and have shown they can solve problems to reach their food. So I choose to highlight the shells you are most likely to find at the beach, including rare shells, huge shells, and even one deadly shell. Crown conchs are carnivores and prey primarily on small bivalves. Nassarius will readily regenerate its tentacles, eyes, frontal lobe, operculum, foot and siphon. The shell is made of calcium carbonate (chalk) secreted by the organism, and the shell is continuously . They are slow everyone knowns this but they really dont care. As mentioned, there are no native species of sea snake in the Gulf of Mexico. Queen conchs live in several different habitat types in the Caribbean, along the Gulf coasts of Florida and Mexico, and in South America. Pack size: 15 kg cartons. It is addictive! These islands are Galveston, Follet's, Matagorda, St. Joseph's (San Jos), Mustang, Padre, and Brazos. We love collecting shells along the beach but never have any idea what kind they might be, but now we can find out! Protect the Arctic from Future Oil Spills. Local authorities will have a cleanup effort underway and need the beach clear. They are found in warm and tropical oceans and seas. The shell is made of calcium carbonate (limestone) and is excreted from tissue called the mantle. Second, many are not that simple either. 2015 DEEPEND/Dant Fenolio, Idiacanthus fasciola. These snails are carnivorous and eat mostly bivalves; they are often found consuming hard clams that were buried in the sediment. They can grow up to 3 inches in diameter. For more information aboutFlorida's marine-life fishery for the aquarium trade and related data, view the articleMarine Life and Tropical Ornamentals. About Sharks: The seas apex predators, sharks are one of the most feared underwater creatures. Second, they lack a caudal fin (the fish tail) and have a more prehensile tail for grabbing objects. Florida Rock Snail - Bay. It is found in the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific Oceans and is one of the few animals to feed on crown-of-thorns starfish. About Sea Urchins: Youve probably only seen sea urchins on travel shows or in sushi bars. This shell has stunning patterns and striking colors. Sea snails, like land and freshwater snails, are gastropod molluscs. Lightning whelk shells are usually creamy with dark brown streaks. A small predatory snail that feeds on clams. A common sea slug found along panhandle beaches the sea hare. The Florida Fighting Conch is known to quickly jump to scare off any predators. The great white, tiger, and bull sharks are the most likely to bite a human. dive, or snorkel alone in the ocean or the Gulf of Mexico around Florida or anywhere else for that matter. i HAVE A GREAT COLLECTION OF FLORIDA SHELLS THAT I COLLECTED OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS. In the picture below, the creature on the left is a Nassarius snail, the one on the right is a whelk. Im so glad you liked it. It has been estimated that these islands were formed about 5,000 - 8,000 years ago. . Being poisonous means you have a form of toxin within your body tissue. This basin is somewhat like a miniature ocean in that it contains all of the main bathymetric provinces of an ocean along with a complicated coastal zone (Figure 3.1).This chapter will consider the overall nature of the basin with emphasis on the sediments it contains. I will be more careful now and see if I can find rare ones. Gastropoda ("stomach" - "foot") - Snails and sea slugs make up the gastropoda class. Bittersweet. It then drills a hole in their shell to feed on them with their radula (a tongue-like organ with miniature teeth). This snail paralyzes its prey with sulphuric acid and then swallows it whole. Many snails are also collected by recreational harvesters. I do hope it helps others have fun shelling. What Makes Them Dangerous: The most significant danger with stingrays is their sting. This seahorse is a species from Indonesia. About Lionfish: Lionfish are one of the newest dangerous creatures in the Gulf of Mexico. Quantities: 120 mt fully cleaned, blanched. One of the more beautiful shells from the sea the nautilus.Photo: Wikipedia. Whelks. If you leave the injury alone, it can even lead to death. About Barracuda: Unlike many of the creatures on this list, the barracuda is aggressive. Unlike sea slugs, youre more likely to actually see a sea snailand without having to venture to the ocean floor. Size: 2-4 cm. Its name comes from the Greek god Triton. The Australian Trumpet is one of the largest shells in the world and can grow up to 35 inches. They are often found attached to coral reefs. It lives in many parts of the world and grows up to a 1/2 inch in length. What is Our Oceans Role in the Transition to Clean Energy? I dont think those are chestnut turbans (the shells in the picture). Often seen scouring the shells of larger whelks and horseshoe crabs. They are considered a delicacy in Africa. But, sometimes you cant avoid them. Thats why its important to have a shell identification guide. Its shell is white with black or brown patches of color that can be mistaken for a layer of tar or oil. These highly prized shells grow from 1 to 6 inches long. Being poisonous means you have a form of toxin within your body tissue. Im going to have to look up a picture of that! Found sporadically in turtle grass beds. This is a great guide! But beautiful they are, and the colors and shapes are controlled by their DNA. The shell coils around a linear piece of shell called the columella. Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. Your email address will not be published. These snails are often observed on Gulf Coast beaches, and after periods of intense winds or wave action, hundreds of Florida fighting conch may be found washed onshore. Factory Outlet Food Tour in Charming Cache Valley, By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our. Ill be referring to it throughout the summer as we collect shells! There are about 150 different species of the Bittersweet Clam. Create an account. USGS scientists assess the effects of native and non-native fishes on the native snail populations. Read More:Proven Tips For Finding Seashells On The BeachThe 16 Best Sea Shelling Tools EverCool Birds of The Coastal Carolinas. The deep sea is home to some of the most outlandish animals on the planet. Even though shells can be easy to find, they are popular to collect because of their beautiful, glossy exterior. Make A Lasting Impact By Leaving A Gift To Ocean Conservancy In Your Will. There are an estimated 60,000 80,000 species of gastropods, second only to the insects. Venomous and poisonous are two different things. There are an estimated 60,000 80,000 species of gastropods, second only to the insects. Rock Snails are mainly found in Florida and Alabama. Massive development along the coast created an influx of human activity. A database will be created itemizing the species of snails collected on each dive, including the many minute species sorted from sand and sediment samples. I hope you get a chance to do some shelling I hope you find some complete ones. The Drill Snail causes serious destruction in commercial oyster farming. Crawfish and shrimp boils, where spiced seafood is thrown straight on a newspaper-covered table, are a way of life. Im so glad you found this seashell guide helpful! They are a great way to remember beach trips. This shell gets up to 5 inches long and is mainly found in West Florida in mudflats and oyster reefs. I might have to print off picts and have them match them. Cus I live in the tropics. Size: 6-10 cm.