The Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) is a large edible marine gastropod. They occupy the Northern Atlantic along the shores of the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Norway, Iceland, some Arctic islands, and parts of North America as far south as New Jersey. The Common Whelk has a low tolerance for low salinities, and they prefer colder temperatures, as they cannot survive at temperatures above 29 degrees Celsius. The shell is ovate-conical and comes in pale, white, yellow, or red variations. It is covered in a bright yellow-brown periostracum, and the spire has seven or eight whorls.
Common Whelks have a length between 3.15”-4.33” (8-11 cm), width from 1.57”-2.36” (4-6 cm), height of 1.85”-2.56” (4.7-6.5 cm), and weight in the range of .11-.22 lb (.05-.1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Whelk is 10-15 years.
The Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) is a large edible marine gastropod. They occupy the Northern Atlantic along the shores of the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Norway, Iceland, some Arctic islands, and parts of North America as far south as New Jersey. The Common Whelk has a low tolerance for low salinities, and they prefer colder temperatures, as they cannot survive at temperatures above 29 degrees Celsius. The shell is ovate-conical and comes in pale, white, yellow, or red variations. It is covered in a bright yellow-brown periostracum, and the spire has seven or eight whorls.
Common Whelks have a length between 3.15”-4.33” (8-11 cm), width from 1.57”-2.36” (4-6 cm), height of 1.85”-2.56” (4.7-6.5 cm), and weight in the range of .11-.22 lb (.05-.1 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Whelk is 10-15 years.
