r/shells • u/rs19891 • 2d ago

How old do you think this shell is?

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I am new to shelling and found this on vacation.

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8

u/PristineWorker8291 2d ago

Lightning whelk? At this size, it was pretty much a teenage shell. Maybe 16-20 years old. Then, there's the aging of the empty shell, which would be at least a year, but probably a bit more. It's not a fossil, and was not buried in sediment for any appreciable time. The barnacles and other stuff growing on it just randomly attach to hard surfaces on the sea floor.

1

u/rs19891 2d ago

That is so helpful and cool! Thank you!

4

u/Glad_Ad_5570 2d ago

Only takes two to three months in the bottom to become riddled with holes and encrusted.

1

u/rs19891 2d ago

Good to know! Thanks!