Giant finger shell - Lambis truncata

How long do shells live? Some conchs are known to live over 30 years! Little is known about ages of most sea shell species but this photo of Lambis truncata shows it almost unrecognizable owing to the amount of coral growth on its shell. As algae grazers, they don't have to move far to find food and although the coral and an old, thick shell may impede movement, most do well unless by some accident they fall into a hole or get turned over in an awkward place, events they are unlikely to recover from. 9 inches (23cm)

14 July 2014

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