Welcome to team Crazy Woman’s shell identification page!

All of the seashells in this content were found on the barrier islands of SWFL’s beaches. Florida has fabulous shells all up and down the coastal beaches but team Crazy Woman’s favorite place to seek seashells are the barrier islands. Some shells are rare and you may only find one in your lifetime and others you may find every single trip. Tides, currents, storms and seasons combined create a treasure trove of variation each and every trip to the beach. No viable live specimens were taken.

Favorites of the team Crazy Woman meetings at Serenity Island.

Junonia ~ The price of Florida Beachcombers! Truly a rare find for the sheller wishing to add a genuine prize to private collection.

Flamingo Tongue ~ In my copious hours scanning the sands, I have found a total 10. Those ten were found same day in proximity in the fresh turning tide line. The shell is famous for the beauty of the live animal, which is covered with yellow-orange spots, each and circled by a dark ring. The Flamingo Tongue has been called the leopard of the sea. This animal feeds on sea fans and other soft corals at various depths. Note the small beading eyes and long feelers on each side of the feeding snout. The live animal almost completely encloses its shell. The small Flamingo Tongue shells are not as spectacular as a live animal, but are still quite attractive because of their unique shape. They feature a bulge around the middle with a raised ridge encircling it like the bulging belt of a very fat person. 

Apple Murex ~ Murex shells are known worldwide for their spectacular frills and spines. The shell opening is unusually round and located at the middle of the Shell. Murex shells were famous in ancient history as the source of a rare fabric dye used by the Romans for their “royal purple robes.” Thousands of shells were required to extract just a tiny amount of the dye by drying and boiling the soft body parts of the murex animals. Thus, only the very rich and powerful could afford to wear this color.

Mermaid’s Purse ~ The Mermaids Purse, also known as Devil’s Purse, is the egg case of a clear nose skate. The egg casing has a skinny handle resembling the handle of a purse hence where it gets its name. So don’t pull it off if you are lucky enough to find it still attached! If you shake it and hear a rattle that would be the pieces of the egg being protected inside the case, like change in your purse.

Tulip ~ There are two different types of Tulips. A True Tulip  comes in three different color forms and a Banded Tulip has rich dark definitive bands that surround the unique shell. Banded Tulips are generally smaller and lighter in color. Pictured above are True Tulips. Tulips are amongst the most aggressive Florida shells. If picked up live, they may put up a violent fight! They are very carnivorous and actually one of the most cannibalistic Florida shells. 

Pear Whelk ~ Typically not found on beaches due to the fragile nature of the shell. Pear Whelks are thin with anterior canal and a short, flattened spire. They feature a smooth surface and lack sharp points unlike other Whelks. Pear Whelks are edible mollusks that are high in protein and vitamins, low in fat and have a briny and sweet flavor similar to clams. 

Flask post prohibition embedded in roots and under sand until storm redistributed sands. D= distiller code, D-126=Seagram’s, MTC logo = Thatcher Glass Manufacturing, 8 = glass mold number, 2793 = federal permit/license number, 54 = year of manufacture.

Lightning Whelk ~ The Lightning Whelk is unique in that it is the only Florida shell left spiraling. It features definitive bold streaks and a crown like top. The large Whelks are more than likely females as the females are generally larger than the males. The older the Whelk, the lighter in color. The large Whelks could be up to 10 years old! Unlike most Whelks, the Lightning Whelk does not drill for its food source, it uses its foot and the edge of its shell to pry open clams and then uses its proboscis (a tongue-like tube with teeth) to feed on the meat. 

Florida Fighting Conch ~ A warm water gastropod, high in populous and frequently found on our beaches. The top has a dramatic jagged spire, and color variations from white (albino rare), multiple colors and patterns varying from white, tan, orange, brown, black and purple.

Flat Scallop ~ Also called Irish Flats, flats are a rare find on Florida beaches. Unlike the calico or zigzag, they present as nearly flat no curvature at all to speak of. Found generally above the shoreline or in dunes. Highly sought after, rarely found, but keep on looking!!