Collecting Other Shellfish

Moon Snail

Moon Snails are commonly eaten as Scungilli. They are sometimes very common offshore; more than that I can't say.



Conch

Large Whelks are sometimes eaten as Conch, but these are most often collected in bay waters.






clam

Clams live beneath the surface of the sand and would be difficult for a diver to collect.






Oysters are also found in shallow bay waters. Oyster diving in the Chesapeake Bay is a wintertime way to get in the water.


Norway Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Size: 6-8" (body)

Habitat: everywhere

Notes:
Sorry to say, but rats are especially common around watery habitats and are excellent swimmers. They are particularly fond of beaches, marshes, ships, docks, and jetties. The next time you go diving at Shark River, take a careful look in the rocks and you will likely see one or two scampering around, dining on old fishing bait and washed-up detritus, even in broad daylight. The Norway Rat is introduced from the Old World, and in most areas today it is more common than the native Black Rat.