Woohoo! I found a huge CARRIER SHELL! I am so tickled to find a whole one and to find one this big is such a bonus. I know, it doesn’t look like a pretty shell but this is the original shell collector. When the mollusk that made this shell was alive, it collected different shells and glued them to its own shell. The original shell crafter!
This one has a few bits and parts of shells, coral and maybe even a rock or two still stuck to it but the fascinating thing is to see the shape of the shell itself. It reminds me of a Christmas tree with only a few ornaments on it so far.
It seems to reason that if this shell did have a few whole shells attached to it at some point, they may have been broken off while tumbling in the surf since I found it high on the beach. Who knows. I love it with its bits and pieces.
I found this yesterday early evening at West Gulf Drive beach access #7. Clark and I went to Gulf Side City Park first and didn’t see many keepers so he wanted to go back to West Gulf. I’m so glad we went!
I may be carried away with all the photos of this CARRIER SHELL but as you can see, this was an exciting find for me. I’m even going to list the “real” scientific name… XENOPHORIDAE. Ha! Don’t ask me how to pronounce that… maybe “zee-no-FOR-id” ?
This next photo is the exact way I found it on the beach. It’s not so easy to spot, right? But maybe this will help you spot one if you even come across one trying to hide.
I was also so happy I found the video I shot from the Sanibel Shell Fair and Show this past March of blue ribbon winner Pat Linn telling us how the CARRIER SHELL attaches other shells to itself while showing her exhibit. Thanks Pat! I can’t wait to see what you have in 2012.
I never cease to be amazed by Mother Nature. This shell is so interesting. :)
My first encounter with carrier shells was at the northern end of Marco Island. The sand bar was covered in them. I’m looking forward to those negative November tides.
I have found 2 and my daughter has found 1 in the last year…none that large though…they are hard to spot.
Congrats
Congratulations! I’ve only found 2 over the past 11 years. Enjoy!
Just arrived this afternoon from New Jersey! Can’t wait to get out there and find me some carrier shells!!!!! :-)
What a special find! Looks someone is giving the two little ones a huge huge! Thanks Pam for all you do for us!
On my way down Friday night..Hopefully I will find as many shells as all have in the last few days
Great find, Pam!!!
Great find Pam! I have never found one. But tommorrow is another day. I’ll be at Cayo Costa tommorrow searching.
Pam, With an A Permit how do we access the beaches on Gulf drive? Is there any public parking near by?
I’m not Pam, but hopefully I can help. If you look at the “parking” link on the top of Pam’s page there are maps showing the parking locations. With an “A” permit you can get into the West Gulf drive numbered accesses ( I think #1 to #7) and of course Tarpon Bay Road access and the lower ones too all the way down to the Lighthouse. “A” doesn’t get you into Gulfside City park, but you can always pay to park there if you want to. I hope this helps. .
Thank you, Thank You Katherine!!! You can also get to any of the beaches by renting a bike. There are bike racks at all of the accesses. Most of the time when West Gulf is good shelling, Blind Pass is good too but w Gulf is closer for us.
I’m with you Pam on these carrier shells, they are indeed very cool and can be hard to spot in the beach drift. I have a few whole ones and a few broken shells (usually the whole of the brown underside) from the Leeward islands. I did once see a really large one that someone else found empty when they were snorkeling and I have talked to someone who knew how to spot them underwater when they are still alive.
You are right that as the shell gets rolled by the surf, most of the attached shells get knocked off, all except the ones right at the top of the spire. By the way, the snail attaches each of those pebbles or shells or pieces of coral one by one as the shell grows. The snail holds the piece in place until it is firmly cemented onto the growing shell surface, and then once it is properly attached, the snail goes on its way.
Nice find. I wound one in Key West and in Belize, but I hadn’t realized they were on Sanibel.
Well, I would have totally overlooked that carrier shell and dismissed it as “nothing.” Thanks for the interesting lesson. Now I know better!
That is so cool . Now that is hitching a ride !!! Thanks for sharing
I didn’t know that’s what they are called! That is so cool!