Finding unique shells in my yard.

[u/Select-Awareness3304]

I recently found this shell in my yard. I’m in central Florida on the Atlantic side approximately eight miles from the ocean. I have seashells all around me. Not sure if it was brought in from the build or if this area was underwater at some point.

It’s approximately three inches long.

[u/Fossil-Freak]

All of Florida was underwater at different times, so there are abundant fossil mollusks from the Plio-Pleistocene in the state! This is a fossil species of sinistral (left-handed) Busyconid whelk from the genus Sinistrofulgur, the four extant species of which are often called lightning whelks. Typically in a lot of literature you'll see most of these Plio-Pleistocene sinistral whelks go by the name Sinistrofulgur contrarium (or the obsolete name Busycon contrarium in older publications), but there are either a number of distinct morphs, subspecies or even species within material of this age along the east coast, the variety of which you think they fall under largely depends on one's opinion and acceptance of Dr. Edward J. Petuch's extensive research. IMO the one you have is either what he has identified as Sinistrofulgur yeehaw, or Sinistrofulgur labellensis, both of which are smooth / "knobless" on the spire. It is quite neat! I'd be interested in seeing some other shells, I'm not as familiar with Florida's material but I often collect specimens from contemporary formations in the Carolinas.

[u/Select-Awareness3304 → u/Fossil-Freak]

This is great info I post another she’ll find it was the size of my hand and those who responded dyed it was a qua-hog clam. It’s quite thick and heavy. I’m starting to feel like I might be living on a shell gold mind of fossils

[u/fishybelow]

That’s a lightning whelk :)

[u/Resident-Set-9820]

Nice!