Family: Fasciolariidae, Spindle Shells view all from this family

Description 4-19" (10.2-48.3 cm) high. Spindle-shaped, large, with an elongate, conical spire; whitish-yellow, orange, or brown; covered with a thin, brown periostracum. Spire whorls angled by 8-10 strong axial ribs that form triangular knobs, and with fine spiral cords and threads; on later whorls, knobs may become very large or disappear, leaving only strong spiral cords. Columella has 2 strong spiral ridges near base. Aperture oval. Canal long, open, slightly twisted. Operculum thick, horny, oval, pointed at 1 end.

Habitat On sand and muddy sand, from low-tide level to water 20' (6.1 m) deep.

Range North Carolina to Florida and Texas.

Discussion This is the largest gastropod in our range, and one of the largest in the world. It feeds mainly on larger gastropods, such as the Tulip Shell, Lightning Whelk, and Lace Murex, and on the bivalve pen shells. It attacks gastropods by firmly holding on to the victim's operculum, preventing it from closing the aperture; the conch then inserts its proboscis and eats the soft parts of the prey. The egg masses are found on sand and consist of clusters of flattened, vase-shaped capsules that have horizontal ridges on the outside.