Lightning Whelk
Sinistrofulgur perversum
The Florida state shell and the only common large whelk that coils to the left.
- Typical size
- 4 to 12 inches
- How often it turns up
- Common on the southwest gulf coast
- Collecting
- Usually legal to collect
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Empty shells may be collected in most of Florida. Live collection is banned in Sanibel and restricted statewide.
Old shells can have sharp broken edges.
How to tell it apart
- Opening is on the left when the spire points up
- Brown or purple lightning streaks on a cream shell
- Low, stepped spire with small knobs
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut will rank the likely matches, then log it to your collection.
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