13 Stunning Seashells And Their Rightful Owners

The lightning whelk is a sea snail that actually eats other things in shells, like oysters, scallops, and clams, oh my!

The dye this mollusk produces is a deep purple color, which was once used to make royal robes and clothing. Hence the term "royal purple."

This sea snail lives in warm Floridian waters in its special shell, which allows its eyes to peak outside while its body stays within the safety of the shell.

Wentletraps are rare and extremely difficult to find, but when you find one, you’ll know immediately. Their name is derived from the Dutch word “wendeltrappe,” which means “spiral staircase.” Wentletraps have been popular with royalty for centuries, so if you find one, hold onto it tight.

The tulip is named after its shape, which resembles a tightly closed tulip flower. Inside this shell lives the black snail, which has a toothed tongue to bite through the shells of its prey.

Scallops actually have up to 100 eyeballs. One. Hundred. Eyeballs. Scallops!! Just some food for thought next time you see them on the menu. 😝

The clam that lives between the wings is much stronger than its fragile exterior. The clam itself can gnaw through metamorphic rock, but the shells are weak and cannot completely close shut to protect it from predators.

Sand dollars own their shell bodies and have mouths directly in the center of them. Their mouths even have a jaw, but it takes them about a quarter of an hour to chew their food and up to two days to digest it. NEAT.