Channeled Whelk

Channeled Whelk

Busycon canaliculatum

Size: to 8"

Habitat: intertidal down to 60 ft

Notes:
Whelks are the largest snails in this area. Related Lightning Whelk grows to 16", and is sometimes called Conch and eaten as such. Whelks prey on bivalves by drilling through their shells.

Channeled Whelk
A large ( and filthy ) whelk feeding on something. The head end is to the left.
Channeled Whelk
Upended and fully withdrawn, showing the operculum which closes off the shell. This individual was about the size of your hand. Note the curious puffer fish at upper-right.
Waved Whelk
The somewhat smaller Waved Whelk Buccinum undatum is a scavenger

2016 Update

Styles and fads come and go, but the advice below remains the same for Buoyancy Compensators. Unless someone figures out how to turn them into gold, there is nothing new to say about lead weights.

These items, along with tanks, are generally considered separately, something that I think is a mistake that often leads to buying equipment that quickly becomes inadequate, especially in the rigorous environment of the North Atlantic. However, it is not difficult to select items that both perform well and allow for future expansion, once you consider the requirements and interactions. To that end, I suggest that you read both the sections on BC & weight systems, and the section on tanks.

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