The Whelks of Florida

Image via Wikipedia - Knobbed Whelk (Busycon carica)

The Whelk shells of Florida are widely collected and they can be some of the largest shells you’ll find on Florida beaches. (Don’t collect them if they are inhabited.)

The Knobbed Whelk (Busycon carica), Channeled Whelk (Busycon canaliculatum), Pear Whelk (Busycon spiratum) and Lightning Whelk (Busycon contrarium) can all be quite large. In fact the Lightning Whelk can grow to a length of 16 inches. Common characteristics include their long shape with a wide opening.

Of these four, the Pear Whelk is least common. It is pear shaped (imagine that!) and grows to a length of 5 1/2 inches. (Here is a beautiful picture of the Pear Whelk.) All four whelks live in the sand intertidally (between the high tide and low tide marks) and the Knobbed Whelk is also common on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and abundant in southern New England.

You can read more about these seashells at the Guide to Northeast Florida Whelks.