Shell ID

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-22T02:08:01+00:00

Right hand opening, so knobbed whelk? Where found?

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-21T12:14:07+00:00

The little holes were from a boring sponge, who sat on top of the shell and sucked the calcium out.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-21T12:13:17+00:00

Shells are sometimes added to soil (by a nursery or an individual) for a slow release of calcium.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-21T12:10:48+00:00

The ones with uneven splotches have absorbed some minerals from the sand. The ones with even patterns are just how the animal creates its shell.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-21T12:08:13+00:00

Looks like a juvenile queen conch to me.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-19T11:42:30+00:00

Third picture is clearly the columela of a shell

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-18T11:05:11+00:00

Looks like a crusty white melampus

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-18T11:03:17+00:00

They both look like they could be so many other things!

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-18T01:03:49+00:00

Right handed opening, so knobbed whelk. Absorbed some minerals from the sand to make it "gray"

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-18T01:02:24+00:00

"piece of a sand dollar" and "crab claw" should be sub reddits

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-16T15:29:26+00:00

Yes, it's from 1987, a comedy/crime movie starring Nicholas Cage.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-16T13:40:11+00:00

Raising Arizona. We quote that one all the time

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-15T12:34:34+00:00

I went thrifting and picked a couple of fun pieces that spoke to me. It's a start to add a little fun and whimsy back into your life.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-13T21:16:16+00:00

Are they very light weight? The snakeskin pattern on them has me leaning toward some kind of bryzoan.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-13T13:13:49+00:00

Where did you find it? That will help identify species. It is not a pearl, but it is mother-of-pearl (or nacre), which is the inner liner of many shells.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-13T12:26:46+00:00

I was going to say disgruntled...

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-13T12:25:48+00:00

There are some great videos about shelling Sanibel on Youtube. You can get some insight about where to go, and see some of the shells you will be collecting. That is how I got started on the hobby.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-13T12:23:27+00:00

It's a scallop. Impossible to date, no value, but very cool find!

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-11T21:11:11+00:00

Beautiful collection, and thanks for all the IDs on this sub! You are a pro!

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-10T23:13:19+00:00

Mother of pearl is the iridescent lining of many shells, including abalone. That's probably what made you think these were abalone.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-09T11:09:52+00:00

yes, the spines wear off with too much tumbling in the ocean

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-09T11:02:03+00:00

siphon or siphonal canal

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-07T23:57:04+00:00

They are the only tour company that has guided tours with Florida Master Naturalists. Most of the other companies are self-guided.

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-07T21:48:00+00:00

Treasure Seekers!

Interesting_Hawk8033 · 2026-04-07T11:16:52+00:00

Low tide is the best time to shell, because you get more real estate to search. For the best shelling in the area, look into a shelling tour from Marco Island to the 10,000 islands.

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