Travel A Beginner's Guide To Shells By Coastal Living Coastal Living Published quarterly, Coastal Living reaches consumers who love life on the coast. Whether they are living right on the water or are dreaming of their next beach escape, these passionate consumers want the coastal lifestyle in their home, travel, and every other aspect of their lives. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on October 25, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Jean Allsopp Are you a seashell novice? Don't worry, we're here to help. We've outlined some of the prettiest shells you'll find on the beach and how you can identify them. Whether you're heading to Sanibel Island this summer or are planning a fall trip to Shackleford Banks, follow this useful guide to figure out what type of shell you've found on the beach on your next vacation. 01 of 17 Limpets & Keyhole Limpets Jean Allsopp Approximately 35 species of limpets live in North American waters.Conical shells may be smooth or ribbed, round or narrow at the base, and may reach 4 inches in diameter.Limpets living in turbulent wave areas have lower shell heights than those in calmer conditions. Limpets living among grasses have longer, narrower shells.Keyhole limpets have a hole or slit near the apex of their conical shell that sets them apart from true limpets. 02 of 17 Wentletraps Look for a rounded aperture on these shells, which range in height from one inch to 4 5/8 inches.They are slender, variably sculptured, have convex whorls, and are almost always white in color.Some 95 species inhabit North American coasts. 03 of 17 Ceriths Jean Allsopp About 30 species of ceriths are found on North American coasts in warm or temperate waters.Look for sculpted whorls decorating the exterior of these slender shells.The shells range in height from 1/8 inch to 6 inches with a pointed tip. 04 of 17 Murex About 140 species of Murex live in North America.Most have spines or ribs and a lengthened canal on one end.The shells can be elongated or round in shape.They range in size from 1 inch to 10 inches high. 05 of 17 Helmet Shells Eleven species of this mollusk are known to live in North American waters. Look for whorled shells with a short spire and a thick and flattened outer lip that can be either toothed or smooth. This family includes North Carolina's state shell, the Scotch bonnet, as well as knob-covered helmets that grow over a foot long. 06 of 17 Olive Shells Twenty-five species of Olive shells are found in North America.Look for various patterns and fine wrinkles, with a smooth and shiny exterior.Most are whorled and cylindrically elongated with a small spire.Olive shells may vary from 1 inch to 5 inches in length. 07 of 17 Cones Jean Allsopp Nearly all of the 600 species of cones around the world have a similar distinct design: a conical shape, flat top, and a slit-like lip running along its length.This shell's body can be smooth or angled with rounded or pointed knobs.Cones can range in height from one inch to 8 inches high. 08 of 17 Moon Shells These snail-like shells are common beachcombing finds on North American coasts.Moon shells (also known as shark's eye) vary in length from 1 inch to 5 inches.They're usually round, smooth and broad with short spires. 09 of 17 Periwinkles Tiny periwinkles range from 1/8 inch to 1 inches high.The solidly built shells are smooth, sometimes sculpted, and round to oval in shape.Of the 23 species known in North American waters, almost all live in intertidal regions. 10 of 17 Whelks About 200 species of Whelks inhabit our waters from the arctic to the tropics.Whelks range in height from 1 inch to 8 inches.They may be smooth or have sculpturing lengthwise or spirally.Tropical species generally have thicker shells than their northern counterparts. 11 of 17 Turbans Jean Allsopp Most of the 25 North American turbans favor warm waters.Look for thick shells with a pearly interior and either a smooth or sculpted exterior.Turbans range from 1/8 inch to 12 inches wide. 12 of 17 Top Shells Jean Allsopp Approximately 180 species of top shells inhabit North American waters.Look for spiral shells with variable exteriors and pearly-colored interiors.Top shells range in size from 1/8 inch to 6 inches in length. 13 of 17 Volutes There are only 20 species of volutes living in North America.Look for elongated shells that range from one inch to 18 inches high.A deepwater species within this group called junonia is prized for its brightly colored shell. 14 of 17 Turret or Screw Shells There are 17 species of turret or screw shells inhabiting North American waters.These large shells are sized between 1 inch to 5 inches.Look for convex whorls and spiral coils, with a circular aperture. 15 of 17 Conch All 70 known species of conch inhabit tropical waters. Three of the seven species found in the tropical western Atlantic may be found as far north as Florida. Shells of the American species are 2 to 12 inches high and thick, with an extended outer lip. Look for a series of spines on the last two whorls near the spire. 16 of 17 Cowry Cowry shells are found in all tropical and warm waters, with six species living in the Caribbean, five in the southeast, and eight in western tropical waters. The cylindrical or oval shells range in size from 3/8 inch to 6 inches. Look for a smooth, shiny exterior with varied color patterns. 17 of 17 Auger About 20 species of Auger live in North American waters.Look for whorled, narrow, and elongated shells with smooth or ribbed grooves on their exterior surface.Auger shells range anywhere from 1 inch to 9 inches high.The plate that seals the mouth of the shell is pointed at one end and rounded at the other. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit