Shell Feature: Florida Horse Conch

The Florida horse conch, also know as the giant horse conch, is the largest snail in the United States. They are the state shell of Florida. Horse conchs contain a large opening which has been used as a drinking vessel and for holding other liquids in the past. They are known for their pronounced spiral tips and are popular with shell hunters and collectors alike. Due to the juveniles bright colors, they are easier to spot amongst other shells as they roll in with the tide. These shells can be found around the beaches of Sanibel and other local barrier islands.
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Scientific name of the Florida Horse Conch: Triplofusus giganteus
Coloring: adults range from off white, tan to dark brown while juveniles may be vivid colors ranging from yellow, golden and bright orange.
Size: up to about 24 inches long. The juveniles in the photo are under one inch in length.
Florida horse conchs are found along the coasts of the North Carolina down to the Yucatán in the Gulf of Mexico.