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Florida Horse Conch
Triplofusus giganteus · Size: Can reach well over a foot
The horse conch is Florida's official state shell, named in 1969, and one of the largest snails in North American waters. Adults have a thick, heavy shell with an orange-red animal inside.
How to identify it
Large, heavy, spindle-shaped, with a pointed spire and a long canal. Young shells are orange; older ones turn chalky white or gray on the outside, with an orange-red interior.
Where to look near Sarasota
Large whole shells are a real find in this area, and most beachcombers only see pieces. Young ones, and live adults in shallow water, are seen less often.
More shells to look for
Finding florida horse conchs with a guide
Seeing a live horse conch in the shallows is a highlight of a night tour. We look at it, talk about why Florida's state shell needs to stay in the water, and set it back. Empty pieces and young shells are fair game.
Fun Florida Tours runs a guided night shelling and snorkeling tour in shallow Gulf water at Siesta Key, Sarasota and Anna Maria Island. You wade in from shore with a guide, the group shares one bright LED light pod that lights up the bottom, and the water stays under 4 feet deep, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer. After 60 minutes in the water we spend 15 minutes on the sand for show-and-tell, where guides name everything the group found. Empty shells are yours to keep; anything alive goes back.