As we celebrate new days watching the sun rise over the horizon at low tide in the new year on Sanibel…
We also shellebrate the gifts of the sea…
We also celebrate the gift of witnessing living creatures exposing themselves for just a short time as the water recedes.
With most animals, we are easily able to see if they are alive, healthy and breathing but with creatures of the sea that have washed ashore, it’s a little bit more difficult. We (shellers) take the time to to look for signs of life with respect. As soon as I saw this shell was occupied by noticing the body and OPERCULUM of the “snail” still intact, I gently placed it back in the water covered with sand making sure the opening faced down into to sand.
Even for some shellers, it’s hard to tell if a SAND DOLLAR is dead or alive so the best thing to do first is… slow down. Take a few minutes to look for any cilia which looks like fur or looks a little fuzzy in the edges. Any time a SAND DOLLAR is this color, assume that it is still alive… gently place it back in the water.
If a STARFISH is any where near the water or if the sand is still damp where you found it, always assume it is still alive too and let it be.
Shellers are very fortunate to have seen the miracles of Mother Nature as we comb the shorelines to discover the magic of the sea. We learn new lessons every day we walk the water’s edge. For most beach combers, we know the signs of life in sea creatures but inexperienced visitors may be overwhelmed with the beauty that surrounds them and not know to take the time to look for signs of life. Since I grew up on the water, I always assumed other folks knew shells, SAND DOLLARS and STARFISH live their lives close to shore but now I’ve learned that most people don’t know much about life in the ocean or gulf. First time visitors to the beach may have heard how amazing shell collecting is and unintentionally collect a live animal without knowing it. It’s an amazing experience to see the compassion on a new sheller’s face after learning they have collected a live animal then race it to the water where they found it to save its life. Most just don’t know… and are thankful to learn and appreciate the living ocean even more.
There have been so many live critters exposed during the morning’s low tide the last few days so with many newbies on the beaches, I’m sure I’ll get to see the amazement on someone’s face that just learned for the first time that shells, sand dollars and starfish are living beings and are still actually alive.
Come with me on a shelling trip! For upcoming dates … CLICK HERE
HI Pam,
When i walk the beach I saw Starfish and i would always gently pick them up and put them back in the water? Should I be doing this or just let them sit on the wet sand? Thanks!
Hi Karen, there are days after storms that its impossible to pick up all the starfish and place them back in the water but if you walk along and see a few starfish drying out because they don’t have enough water to survive, its a nice thing to pick it up and place it back in the water. Most days the tide shifts so quickly any semi-stranded creatures will be covered by water on their own soon enough for them to survive. I think its a natural thing for most people when they see wildlife they think in danger, to help them! but if they seem to be doing okay on their own, I like to let them be. :)
Thanks for all the info Pam, lvoe your blog i learn so much
Pam, this is an excellent post! Before I started shelling I found this blog of yours and learned about how to check to see if a shell is alive or not. I was so thankful that I had learned this info as I would never want to collect a shell if a critter is already living in it. So THANK YOU again for reminding us that there are living creatures that use these shells as their homes! You are doing a wonderful thing!!!
Oh Kaye- it is my pleasure :) And thank you for the kind words!
I’m like the normal person that until they listen to people that really know most just think everything is free to take not kno0wing that the species can still be alive within the shell so I am so happy for the last year and a half I’ve been reading all of your post and learning on the run.i am here now and I will see you on the 7th.thanks for all your help sincerely r.g. stein
I look forward to meeting you r.g.stein!
Thanks for all the valuable info. I’ve never even seen a starfish. I hope to at least see one on Cayo Costa in Feb.
Your posts are one of the highlights of my day.
A really great post Pam. How nice, you are the spokesperson for marine life!
I just wanted to explain to some people who are inexperienced with marine life that the mollusk does not exactly “live in” the shell, although that is exactly what a hermit crab does. The mollusk cannot change shells or move in or out of one, like a hermit crab can.
In reality the shell is the skeleton of the mollusk, and the mollusk can no more “leave” the shell, then we can go out and leave our skeleton behind. The shell is just one part of the body of the mollusk. It should not be regarded as a “home” to the mollusk.
Creatures such as mollusks, crabs, etc, they have their skeleton on the outside, rather than on the inside like we do, but nonetheless the shell is an intimate part of their bodies.
A mollusk is born with a little tiny shell, and the shell grows bigger along with the mollusk, as a result of the mollusk adding to the shell, layer upon layer, mainly at the edges of the shell.
Just wanted to make that clear. :)
The most spectacular, non-mollusk that I saw on Sanibel was a Sea Pansy. Absolutely a gorgeous animal.It was , of course, the one time I was lacking a camera, and it sounds like they generally aren’t common even on Sanibel.
Wow, I would love to see a sea pansy!
Beautiful post! It should be “required reading” for everyone who visits Sanibel!
Hi Pam great post,
Do have any suggestions for avoiding shells with hermit crabs? I try listening for their crinkling sounds, poking and watching while shelling. Usually, if I miss we find them crawling on the floor the next morning and take them back. However last year I brought home a lightening whelk from Folly Beach, SC (picked just before we started home) and sure enough there was a hermit inside. I felt horrible, so any of your exshellant advice would be appreciated! Thanks and hope to shell with you someday.
Edushellication is the key…more every day thanks, Pam.
I have been known to try to put the fear of “the shell gods” into either newbies or the lawless and greedy. 500 dollars and/or 6 months in jail is posted and makes some look for the undercover shell cops!
How do we tell if a sea urchin is still alive? We question this each year when we vacation on Sanibel. (We always throw them back if there is any ‘center’ to it at all; if it is empty, obviously a bird has picked it and it’s dead.)
Wonderful photos as always! Thanks for the great info!