Whelks
Whelks Family Buccinidae (True Whelks)
Whelks is a common name for are large sea snails (gastropods) with spiral shells.
They are both are scavengers and carnivores and travel along (or just under) the bay bottom in search of clams and other shellfish
Snails are univalves, meaning they have one shell (valve) to which they can retract their whole body into when threatened.
They can be algae eaters (algivorous), feed on other animals (carnivorous) or feed on both plants and animals (omnivorous) as predators and scavengers.
Projecting out in front of the snail are two tentacle which are used for sight. Another set are used for touch. Below these tentacle is the mouth.
Whelk Habitat
Channeled Whelk
Lightning Whelk
Atlantic Sea Scallop Placopecten magellanicus
iottom mud.
