Name these 7 SWFL seashells
Southwest Florida’s Gulf Shores are a shell lover’s dream. Check out these seven of the shells commonly found in the area: Thanks to the Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum for the photos and to Jose Reef, the museum’s scientific director and curator, for the identification.
Fort Myers News-Press
It’s hard to go to the beach without finding a treasure or two in the sand.
The Florida coastline is filled with rare and common seashells. Shell hunters can travel far and wide to find great shell sites, but not everyone wants to travel far to find a great new shell. So why not try finding shells in your own backyard?
Volusia and Flagler counties have dozens of miles of coastline, providing plenty of opportunities for a day of shellfishing, and there are excellent hunting grounds close by.
Here are some tips to help you have fun shell hunting.
Choose a less-populated beach, like Canaveral Beach.
Blair and Dawn Witherington are the authors of several books about beaches and nature.Florida Seashells: A Beachcomber’s Guide“And they know Volusia County well,” Blair Witherington told The News Journal about shell hunting.
He said the best place to hunt depends on the experience a hunter is looking for: Some people like collecting shells because it gets them outside in nice weather, while others enjoy the solitude along with the scenery.
He and his wife Canaveral National SeashoreHe said.
Besides beautiful scenery, less traveled areas “are more likely to contain more common and unusual shells that those further along don’t have,” he said.
Searching for seashells after stormy weather
Mr Witherington said searching for shells after a period of rough water could produce good results once conditions calmed down again.
“The shelling can be amazing,” he said.
Where you look also depends on what kind of shells you’re looking for, according to the Witheringtons’ book.
For example, “the recent high tide line in the middle of the beach is often a good place to find large or flapping shells,” the book says.
Visit Ponce Inlet, Washington Oaks State Park, and more
Blair Witherington said one good place to fire artillery was Smyrna Dunes Park Located on the south side of Ponce Inlet, the park is known to the Witherington family as one of the best shell-digging spots in the state.
“The coves often have shells accumulating,” he says.
Verne Park in Flagler County According to the county’s tourism development website, it’s a popular spot for shell hunting, with shells such as cockles and coquina shells available throughout the area. Click here for details.
In Flagler County, the Witherington family Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Another popular shellfish spot in Florida.
In search of good shells
So, what will you find there?
Many types of shells are common in Volusia and Flagler counties: for example, “Florida Shells: A Beachcomber’s Guide” features “263 species of mollusc shells.”
Blair Witherington said the colorful coquina shell is one common type that is tiny and colorful.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, coquina shells are “known for their extremely diverse color patterns” and are “found buried just beneath the sand in areas of the coast where waves break, known as surflines.”
Another type of shellfish hunters target, according to Witherington, is the knot shell, which he describes as up to nine inches long, heavy and “usually has several triangular humps on the shoulders of the shell.”
Another popular type of shell is the Wentletrap, which resembles a spiral staircase, says Blair Witherington.
He said the area near the inlet is a good place to hunt traps.
Dr. José H. Leal, Scientific Director and Curator Baillie-Matthews National Shell Museum He shared his expertise on Sanibel Island. 10 Unusual Florida Shells Partnered with The News-Press in 2023.
The list also includes the Scotch bonnet, which is about five inches long and has a “typical oval shape with fine rolling lines on the surface,” the listing states. “It is creamy white in color with characteristic light brown spots.”
Respect the coast
Before you go to the beach, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Stephanie Panrasigi and Erica Zambello’s book “Shells and Beachcombing for Kids” says that you should check local rules before taking shells from the beach to see if it’s OK to take them home. You should also check to see if any creatures are using the shells as a home. If so, put the shells back.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said collecting seashells as a hobby is OK. “It depends on whether the shells you collect contain organisms, what types of organisms they contain, and where you collect them.”