Sundial Shell

Viewed from above, alternating brown and white lines spiral towards their centres on these lovely Sundial Shells.

Once thought to resemble a sundial, hence their common name.

Sundials belong to a small family of shells know as architectonicidae which inhabit varying water depths of warm seas. They are usually seen at night or towards dusk moving across open sandy areas.

They are fairly unique shells in their flattened disc shaped form and have been around for a long time, with fossilized examples being found in India from the Miocene period 23 million years ago.

Common to the Indo-Pacific region and especially Taiwan.

Sold individually

Size: approx  3 - 4 cm   (1-1.5 inches)