Lightning Whelk Shell

The Lightning Whelk shell has an off-white to tan colour with light brown lightning streaks running its length.

This particular species is unusual and quite rare in the shell world in that they have a counter clockwise spiraled shell compared to most and are sometimes know as sinistral or left handed whelks.

Belonging to a diverse family of over 400 species, Whelks are carnivorous and inhabit both cold polar and tropical seas.

The lighting whelk is large edible species of predatory sea snail and is also the official shell for the State of Texas.

The spurs are particularly soft on this species and are quite normally worn as the images show.

Generally found along the Gulf Coast from North Carolina to Texas.

Size: approx  15 cm long  (6 inches)