Creature Feature Encyclopedia: Gastropoda

Queen Conch Strombus gigas Status: Endangered Size: 8" (20 cm) Range: Southeast Florida and the West Indies; Bermuda

The Queen Conch inhabits warm, shallow waters. Generally, it moves slowly on top of the sand, feeding on sea grasses and other marine algae. The conch moves so slowly, in fact, that various marine animals and plants grow on its shell. Although the outside of the shell is rough and crusty, the inside is a beautiful, rosy, sunset color. One end of the shell is upturned, allowing the conch to see as it feeds. At the other end is a claw-like operculum, or foot, which it uses to vault away from danger.

~A Swim through the Sea © 1994