Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum)
Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum)
The Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum) is an edible marine gastropod mollusk. They are found in the sandy substrate of shallow embayments of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and southeastern North America, from New Jersey south to Florida. As a large predatory sea snail, it mostly eats bivalves by using its proboscis to ingest the soft parts. They are active during the daytime, and when feeding on mudflats, they prefer to stay in deeper waters. Native Americans have used Lightning Whelks for food, and used their shells for tools, ornaments, and to make jewelry. The species is the state shell of Texas.
Lightning Whelks have a length between 2.5”-16” (6.4-40.6 cm), width from 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), height of 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), and weight in the range of 1.54-1.98 lb (.7-.9 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lightning Whelk is 10-15 years.
The Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum) is an edible marine gastropod mollusk. They are found in the sandy substrate of shallow embayments of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and southeastern North America, from New Jersey south to Florida. As a large predatory sea snail, it mostly eats bivalves by using its proboscis to ingest the soft parts. They are active during the daytime, and when feeding on mudflats, they prefer to stay in deeper waters. Native Americans have used Lightning Whelks for food, and used their shells for tools, ornaments, and to make jewelry. The species is the state shell of Texas.
Lightning Whelks have a length between 2.5”-16” (6.4-40.6 cm), width from 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), height of 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), and weight in the range of 1.54-1.98 lb (.7-.9 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lightning Whelk is 10-15 years.
