Sea snails of Florida

Florida fighting conch (Strombus alatus) This shell is very plentiful in Florida, were it can be found in masses after violent storms. They are most common in southwest Florida, northwest Florida, but can also be found along the southern Atlantic coast.

There are Endless color and pattern variations among fighting conchs, in the upper picture the shell on the left is a very rare form, where the band is darker than the body of the whole shell. Many common color forms in fighting conchs include red, orange, yellow, pink, black, purple, and white.

The live animal is very interesting in comparison to others, when picked up, instead of staying concealed in it's shell, it extends it's foot and thrashes around violently, trying to dislodge your finger.

Lightning Whelk (Busycon contrarium)

This shell often washes up on any of Florida's beaches, and can get very big, up to 16 inches! However 3-4 inch specimens are more common. When found alive, the animal's flesh appears black, however inside it is a yellow/cream colored. The lightning whelk has a operculum (trapdoor) that it uses to cover itself when in danger.

Just like with the fighting conch, it has an endless variations of pattern and color, such as orange, cream, black, red, and sometimes even white. This shell's color's fade quicker than any other shell in Florida which makes it challenging to find a perfect specimen.

The best time to find this snail, alive or not, is during low tide in tidal pools, where there will be many big live whelks, after storms is even better! This shell is also popular with collectors because of it's striking colors.

Alphabet cone (Conus spurius)

This is a member of one of the most popular shell families in the world. This shell is relatively common in the Gulf of Mexico, but rare along the Atlantic coast. It can get up to 3.5 inches in length, and rarely washes up alive on the beach.

There aren't many color forms for this shells, only a light one and a dark one, it does however, have lot's of pattern variations, why would the shell be called an alphabet cone if you couldn't be able to find letters on the shell? On the bottom picture you an see the pointed out letter "H", can you find any more?

Florida cone (Conus anabathrum) This is a fairly common species in the Gulf coast of Florida. It doesn't get too big, as the maximum size is 2 inches. There are 2 main color forms for this shell, yellow and orange. This is one of 2 venomous snail species in Florida, with the other being the alphabet cone, this sea snail can give you a little sting, it is not more painful than a bee sting however, and cannot kill a human.

Paper fig (Ficus communis) Also known as the Atlantic fig snail, This is a fairly common species of snail in Southwest Florida, sometimes many can wash up after a violent after a storm, but usually will not be whole. Most will have holes, and small chips on the lip. Live specimens are almost never found.

This species does not exhibit many color forms, it mostly just a gray-orange color. If you are fortunate to find a fresh shell, the interior will be very glossy. It will also show small dark orange spots on the back.

This shell can get up to 4.5 inches in length, but over 5 inch specimens, while rare, can be found, however, as I mentioned before it is very hard to find a perfect one.

Channeled Whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus) This is a shell that is commonly found in the northern Atlantic coast of Florida, and the Carolinas, it does not occur in the Gulf Of Mexico. It is pretty big, as it can get up to over 10 inches in length, but it is not as big as it's big brother, the lightning whelk, where the world record size is over 22 inches! This shell comes in a few colors, such as tan, orange, black, white, and gray, with tan being the most common. Live snails sometimes wash up in the Carolinas.

Pear whelk (Busycon spiratum) This shell is sometimes confused with the paper fig, due to the similar shape and size, first of all the pear whelk can get up 6.5 inches in length, while the fig can get up to only 4.5. Second, the color, the fig has a blank overall appearance, while the pear whelk, has many different orange stripes, white bands, and many more different patterns, which the paper fig lacks.

The pear whelk as mentioned, can get up 6.5 inches, and is usually orange in coloration, sometimes brown, or dark orange. It is found in all of Florida, and in the Carolinas. It is the most common in southwest Florida.

Shark's eye (Neverita duplicata) This snail can be found in the surf area looking for coguina clams which it will eat. 1 inch specimens are the most common ones, but over 2.5 inch ones can be found. The biggest shell in the lower photo is over 2.6 inches in length and is the biggest one I have ever seen!

Specimens from the Southern part of the Gulf of mexico tend to me more circularly shaped, and darker colored, while the rest appear more flat, and are more lightly colored. In the top photo all the shells except the one on the far left are from southern Gulf Of Mexico, while all the shells in the bottom photo are from other places.

The Shark eye moon snail can be found in places all around the east coast of the U.S, including all of Florida (except the keys) and the Carolinas, in those places this snail is fairly common. There are a quite a few color forms for this shell, however most beached specimens will be brown. Colors include, brown, gray, orange, red, and purple-red.

Lettered olive (Oliva sayana) This is one of the most common sea snails of Florida, and just like the Shark eye, this snail's shell is very glossy. This snail can grow up to 2.8 inches in length. Golden olives are "freak" forms of the lettered olive, which sometimes wash up on beaches of southeast U.S. This is snail is very common not only in Florida, but in the Carolinas as well.

Lace Murex (Chicoreus florifer) This is a fairly common species in the Gulf Of Mexico. While beach worn frill-less specimens are often found, perfect ones are rather tough to find. There are a few color forms for this species like white and brown, however black ones, can be found. This snail is not often found alive on the beach. It can get up to 2.5 inches in length and can be found in the west coast of Florida.

Apple murex (Phyllonotus pomum) This is the most common murex shell in Florida. Most of the time 2 inch specimens are found on the beach but it can get up to 4 inches. It can be found in the west coast of Florida, and the Florida keys. Color forms include red, pink, black, brown, or even purple! The smallest shell, on the top of the photo, is a rare purple murex!

Chestnut turban (Turbo castanea) This is a fairly common species of turbans in the Gulf of Mexico, that can display some really cool patterns, and colors like dark orange, light orange, cream, and tan. Live ones rarely wash up on beaches, and like most other marine snails has an operculum called the shiva shell (trapdoor). This snail doesn't usually get bigger than an inch.

Scotch Bonnet (Semicassis granulata) This is one of the 3 species of helmet snails that can be found in North America. It's usually red or orange, but after death the colors on the shell fade really quickly. The shell washes up beaches most often in the northern Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic coast and Northwest coast of Florida, and the Carolinas. It get's to about 4 inches in length. The most often ones are the faded white ones.

Sharp-ribbed Drill (Eupleura sulcidentata) This is a common species of oyster drill snails in the Gulf of Mexico. They feed on oysters (hence the name) by drilling holes in they're shells, and damage oyster beds at the same time. They are pretty common in the Gulf of Mexico, and regularly wash up on beaches. The shell doesn't usually grow larger than 0.8 of an inch. They are related to the murex family.

Horse conch (Triplofusus papillosus) This is definately the largest seashell in North America, measuring up to 26 inches! When found alive, the shell is covered in a black skin-like metarial called a periostracum. Live ones will also be covered in barnacles, slipper shells, oysters, and other little mollusks/hitchhikers. Live ones sometimes wash up on beaches, but usually after violent storms. Empty shells also do wash up on beaches.

This shell is found in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Florida keys, however they are the most plentiful in Southwest Florida. The medium sized shells are the most difficult to find. The live snails can also be found on mud flats near mangrove roots.

This sea snail is very agressive and can be cannibalistic. It will eat almost any snail that is smaller than itself. While this shell is referred to as a "conch" it isn't actually a true conch, as it is actually in the tulip family, even though it may not resemble other tulips. It is also often referred to as a "spindle shell".

Queen conch (Strombus gigas) Also known as the pink conch, This is one of the biggest species of true conchs in the world, measuring up to 12 inches in length. The juveniles have long spines, and lack the big lip that the 11 inch grown-ups have. Queen conchs on the outside are usually orange, and on the inside they're pink. This species can only be found in the Florida Keys, and in the Caribbean. The foot of this conch is the source of the famous conch chowder. Live collection in the Florida Keys is prohibited, because this is an endangered species. They are usually found in shallow water during low tide.

Atlantic Bubble shell (Bulla striata Bruguiere) This snail is very common in all of Florida, especially the west coast when many can wash up after storms. It is hard to find perfect ones, because these shells are very fragile. They don't get bigger than an inch usually. The shell is usually brown or red. They can be found in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Caribbean. Live ones are usually not found on the beach.

Guady natica Also known as the Colorful Atlantic moon, or moonsnail this is another species of moon snails that you can find in Florida. It is most common in Southwest Florida, and northwest Florida. It has many colorful stripes, colors, and bands on its shell which are usually orange, light orange, dark orange, or yellow. Like other moon snails, it has a colorful operculum (trapdoor) that protects the snail when in potentially life threatening situations. It is related to the Shark's eye moon snail.

Florida Rock Shell (Stramonnita floridana) This shell is a rare find on beaches and almost never washes up alive. It is more commonly found near jetty boulders, and large rocks, and tide pools. The shell is gray/brown in coloration, and usually has a small band running through its body. It's natural range is through the Gulf of Mexico. It is probably harder to find a perfect rock shell than finding a Junonia in Southwest Florida.

Florida Crown Conch (Melongena Corona) This is a shell that is very common in Southwest Florida, but it is usually found near mangrove roots, rather than beaches, but they do wash up sometimes, but usually will be broken. This shell comes in many different colors and patterns. Brown, black, and reddish is the most common, with white being the least common.

Common Nutmeg (Cancellaria reticulata) This shell is a fairly common find in southwest Florida, and the Gulf coast. It does not have many color forms. Usually it white with multiple brown blotches. Live ones almost never wash up on beaches. The only color form I have ever found was a very dark form which is the bottom left shell in the photo.

West Indian worm shell (Vermicularia spirata) This snail is a very weird looking one, that can be found in the Gulf of Mexico. They are called worm shells, because they resemble marine worms. There are usually dark orange, light orange, and sometimes white. It is relatively difficult to find a perfect specimens, as usually it breaks apart easily. Pieces of worm shells are relatively common on beaches. It os also not typical to find live ones on beaches.

Sanibel turretsnail You guessed it... you can find these snails on Sanibel island. They aren't really common though, but do wash up on beaches. Live ones rarely wash up. Maximum size is 1 inch. The shell is usually brown, but its sometimes red, yellow, or black.

Common American Auger (taterebra dislocata) This is the most common species of auger in the U.S, measuring up to 1.7 inches. It is extremely common in the Gulf of Mexico. It's most common in southwest Florida. There are many veriaties of colors, including, purple, orange, tan, and sometimes white. The snail lives in shallow water. The shell has 15-20 whorls.

Baby's ear (Sinum perspectivum) This is a snail that can be found in the Gulf of Mexico, however, most specimens will be broken due to the low durability of the shell. It can get up to 2 inches in length, and usually will be pure white. The other type of Baby's ear, the maculated Baby's ear is more colorful and has many orange/yellow blotches. When this snail is alive, it usually totally engulfs it's whole shell with it's body.

Flyspeck cerith (Cerithium muscarum) This is a species of ceriths that can be found in southwest Florida. It's shell is usually brown, red or white. The main difference between the flyspeck, abd the Florida cerith is that the Flyspeck has worls, on it's body, which the Florida cerith lacks. It is sometimes confused with the wentletrap shell as well, the difference id that the flyspeck cerith is brown, while the wentletrap is white.

Florida cerith (Cerithium floridanum) This is a very common species of snails in southwest Florida. It has a variety of colors like white, light-brown, red, tan and sometimes orange. Its maximum size is 0.8 of an inch. The un-beat-up ones usually have mini spines. Albino ceriths can be found!

Pitted murex (Favartia cellulosa) This is a uncommon species of murex that washes up on beaches of southwest Florida. The shell is always plain white, and doesn't get larger than 0.75 of an inch. It is rare to find a live one on beaches. It is very hard to find a perfect unbeaten pitted murex on the beach, as most wont have very distinct bumbs, and will usually be beaten-up.

Mauve-mouth drill (Calotrophon ostrearum) This is a small seashell that can be found in the Gulf of Mexico. It is most common on Sanibel island. Maximum size is 1 inch. The snail, like most other marine species has a brown colored operculum (trapdoor). The color of the shell is usually white, while the animal is usually a bit darker in color.

Gulf oyster drill (Urosalpinx perrugata) Another species of drill shells, this one being most common, and can be found in the Gulf of Mexico. Like every other species of drill snails, this one feeds on oysters by drilling holes in the oyster's shell (hence the name, many species of marine snails are named by how they look like or what they do, or where they're natural habitat is). The color of the shell varies, its usually, pink, blue, white or brown.

Keyhole Limpet This is the most common species of limpet in all of Florida. It is mainly found in the Gulf of Mexico, but doesn't usually wash up on beaches. When it is alive it attaches itself to rocks, or other hard materials, where it will live most of its live. The shell displays stripes, however they fade quickly, once the snail dies. This snail doesn't resemble other snails, as the shell isn't coiled, except for the slipper shell, this is the only type of snail, that doesn't have a coiled shell.

Button shell (Modulus Modulus) Also known as the Atlantic Modulus, this shell is fairly common in Southwest Florida, however it is difficult to find a perfect specimens, as it is pretty fragile. It does not have any different color forms, as it is almost always an orange/yellow color. It can be found in the high-wrack line on the beach.

Tinted Cantharus (Gemophos tinctus) This is a fairly common species in Southwest Florida. Live ones usually don't wash up on beaches. This shell doesn't have many color forms, it is either orange or blue, and can get up to 1 inch in length.

Tampa Bay Topsnail (Calliostoma tampaense) This is the most common topsnail species in all of Florida, but still can be a challange to find. Mayn times the top of this shell will be broken of. The main color this shell comes in is yellow and orange, however, blue and red can be found, but is very rare. The live snail is often found near large rocks. Point of rock, Sarasota is probably the best place to search for this snail. This snail doesn't get very big, as the maximum size is only 1 inch.