Gulf Oyster Drill
Vokesinotus perrugatus
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A stout little drill with knobby ribs and a dark purple-brown mouth.
- Typical size
- 0.75–1 in
- How often it turns up
- Common near oyster reefs
- Collecting
- Restricted
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Empty shells are fine to keep on most public beaches. Live shelling is banned in Lee County and Florida state parks and needs a fishing license elsewhere — if an animal is inside, put it back.
How to tell it apart
- Strong rounded axial ribs crossed by spiral cords
- Grey-brown outside
- Dark purple-brown aperture
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for shells. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Anclote Key Preserve State Park · Tarpon Springs
- Bean Point · Anna Maria
- Beer Can Island (Greer Island) · Longboat Key
- Boca Grande Public Beach · Boca Grande
- Bowman's Beach · Sanibel
- Captiva Beach · Captiva
- Cayo Costa State Park · Cayo Costa
- Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park · Naples
- Don Pedro Island State Park · Cape Haze
- Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park · St. George Island
- Gasparilla Island State Park · Boca Grande
- Gulfside City Park (Algiers Beach) · Sanibel
Found one?
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Commonly confused with
Atlantic Oyster DrillUrosalpinx cinerea
Gulf oyster drill is stouter with knobbier ribs and a dark purple-brown mouth.
Mauve-mouth DrillCalotrophon ostrearum
Gulf oyster drill has a darker, browner mouth and heavier ribs than the mauve-mouth drill.
More shells in the field guide
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