Left Handed Whelks

The lightning whelk (Busycon contrarium) is a marine gastropod mollusk, which basically means that it is a sea-dwelling snail. In the United States, all members of the diversified Busycon genus of the Melongidae family (part of the Buccinidaesuperfamily) are commonly known as whelks or Busycon whelks.

This particular species acquired the name "lightning whelk" because the white shells of the juveniles have chestnut brown stripes with a zig-zag pattern reminiscent of lightning bolts. Mature lightning whelks can vary greatly in color, but the shells are characteristically grayish-white, tan, or creamy yellow with an opening that can vary from white or pale yellow to orange or even bright red. Shell collectors find these variations endlessly fascinating.

Lightning whelks are widely distributed in the United States. Generally, they are plentiful along the Gulf Coast and along the Atlantic Coast as far north as New Jersey (though uncommon north of South Carolin).

The Shell you receive may not look exactly like the image.  No two are alike.  Primary difference in shells is their size.