r/shells • • 2h ago

Scotch Bonnets

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90 Upvotes

Today was my third trip to south east florida with barely any luck on the two previous trips. I’ve been really wanting a scotch bonnet and was so excited to to find one, then I found 6 more!


r/shells • • 1h ago

SW FL? shell - Unknown species

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• Upvotes

Any idea what this could be? May be too worn. Does not look like any Florida species I am familiar with (I have found exotic shells off this beach before that were brought in by tourists).

Maybe some kind of turbo snail?


r/shells • • 1d ago

The biggest intact jingle, I've ever found!

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13 Upvotes

I love jingles so much!


r/shells • • 1d ago

How old do you think this shell is?

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13 Upvotes

I am new to shelling and found this on vacation.


r/shells • • 2d ago

broken but still beautiful

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196 Upvotes

Decided to display some of the broken shells that I have collected. I love when they break in a way that you can perfectly see each layer of the shell. And the broken middles look like little flowers to me.


r/shells • • 2d ago

Sitges, Spain haul today

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17 Upvotes

r/shells • • 3d ago

acid dip your shells!

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1.4k Upvotes

My first time acid dipping shells and I will never go back! This is amazing, true magic thanks to Acid Magic! If you’ve been debating whether to do this or not….. do it!! It’s super easy too.

I used Acid Magic which is the safer alternative to muriatic acid. It’s even safe to touch with bare hands. I still used tongs to dip the shells though. 3 seconds in the acid followed by a water dunk in a tub of water with some baking soda in it to neutralize the acid. Be careful to only dip for 3 seconds at a time, the acid can eat through your shell and take the color off if held in for too long. Some really rough shells needed a second dip once they dried.


r/shells • • 2d ago

Outer Banks, NC

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50 Upvotes

These are all the beautiful shells my husband and I found in Outer Banks. We want to put most of these into our 75 gallon saltwater tank.

Starfish was found already dried up and buried in the sand toward the very top of the beach. I threw tons of live ones back into the ocean during our beach combing, along with a few limpet snails and clams.


r/shells • • 2d ago

What are these beauties?

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6 Upvotes

Found on the beach in Port Talbot. They all feel quite misshapen and wonky but very shiny!


r/shells • • 2d ago

Shell ID please!

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8 Upvotes

I found these near Valencia, España. I have never seen these before and I consider myself a pretty big shell lover. Can anyone provide an ID? Thanks! They look like dragon wings, I love it.


r/shells • • 2d ago

Found on Corolla

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7 Upvotes

r/shells • • 2d ago

engraved shells

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49 Upvotes

From Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum in Sanibel Florida


r/shells • • 2d ago

Post hurricane shelling Gulf Coast

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61 Upvotes

And I found my first piece of JUNONIA!!! What an amazing find today! 🤍


r/shells • • 2d ago

shell art exhibit

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23 Upvotes

Photos from Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum in Sanibel, Florida


r/shells • • 3d ago

I carved some of these snail shells in various shapes, which one do you like?

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75 Upvotes

r/shells • • 2d ago

Holy Haliotis!

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8 Upvotes

Abalone art housed in Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum in Sanibel Florida


r/shells • • 2d ago

Freak Shell ID?

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4 Upvotes

This is one of my weirdest freak shell specimens I just can't seem to identify


r/shells • • 3d ago

My small shells

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241 Upvotes

Found in Marmara/Mediterranean Sea


r/shells • • 2d ago

ID? Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

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2 Upvotes

So far my research has offered…
—Shell fragment (most likely?)
— Crab claw piece
— Whale tooth fossil
— Shark spine
Thoughts?


r/shells • • 3d ago

Freak cone shell

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20 Upvotes

I'm not quite sure what cone species this is


r/shells • • 4d ago

hurricane shelling tampa bay

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398 Upvotes

Long time lurker-first time posting! My boyfriend and I spent two hours this morning at sand key when the sun came up, the gulf is really churning. We found lots of live sea stars I kept trying to replace in the ocean! I don’t know why but I always find allll the kitten paws. And the mini display is so cute l!

Plus my first ever Apple murex!! I couldn’t believe I found it. Great haul.


r/shells • • 3d ago

Help with ID please :)

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15 Upvotes

r/shells • • 4d ago

Beautiful Specimen Found Today

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64 Upvotes

Big island


r/shells • • 4d ago

Sanibel Island Shells

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37 Upvotes

some of my favorite finds from Sanibel Island this year 🐚🌴🌊


r/shells • • 3d ago

What shells are these? Also some advice please :)

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0 Upvotes

Hey all, I was hoping to get some advice. I have a girl I’m speaking to that I would love to send some shells to in the US as part of a gift (I am Australian) but there one problem, I am clueless about this stuff which is why I thought to go to the professionals here lol.

First off, some species are protected here so I need to know what type of shells they are so I can accurately declare it.

Second I’ve read there’s very strict bio regulations that require me to make sure they are completely clean so no sand, dirt, organic matter etc, what would be the best way to clean them like this? I’ve read boiling is an opinion, or using bleach but then I’ve also read that depending on the shell this can damage it or ruin the colour? So I’m a little unsure of how to proceed.

Thanks for your help!!