The Channeled Whelk

We found this on the beach last night and came home to ask all of the experts... We did some research and found out it is the egg case of the channeled whelk ( Busycotypus canaliculatus ).

Each capsule of the egg case contains 25 or more baby channeled whelk. We used this site and wikipedia for our information.

Knobbed whelk is on top; Channeled whelk is on bottom

What is a whelk? you may ask. It is a large predatory snail and it's shell can grow up to 8 inches long. It is nocturnal and eats clams. Just in case you are wondering, it is edible!

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