The Common Northern Whelk has a stout pale shell that is white, yellowish, or reddish-brown in tone. Turkey Wing Shells. These fan-shaped bivalve shells come in a diverse assortment of colors and patterns. The Girdled Triton is sculptured with small spines arranged along deeper cut ribs. The Lace Murex is highly ornamental with up to seven whorls and 10 hollow decorative spines. Cowries are nocturnal and feed on algae and seaweed. The shell grows to be 2 - 4 1/8 inches (5.7-10.5 cm) in length. They are brightly colored, and no two Calico Scallops look alike! The point is when you're identifying species, you learn to be a much more careful observer. Shell Guide | Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum | Sanibel Island. Also, the Cumings has distinct knobs while the Dark Cerith is beady. Banded Tulip Shells. Banded tulips are generally smaller than the True type and the bands are clearly seen. Internet Marketing, Web Design, and SEO by Kelly Webmasters and Marketers, Copyright 2023, Sand Dollar Shelling | All Rights Reserved. The silver glossy aperture is a dead giveaway for this species. Thumbs up! What Types of Seashells Can I Find in Florida? The shell name alludes to its general shape, resembling a tulip (the flower.) The Banded Tulips live in sandy-detrital or muddy bottoms in the infra-littoral zone, in water 2-150 feet deep. They are also used in carvings such as cameos due to this uniform color under the top layer. They have a distinctive stepped spire. FAST and FREE Standard Shipping on all US Orders over $100! Please see FareHarbor for our available options. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Knobbed Whelk is the second largest species of the "Busycon" Whelks. The Murex shell is distinctive, with a white and pink exterior. Baby Ear Moon Shell. The Banded Tulip, Cinctura hunteria (G. Perry, 1811), is one of the largest and most attractive marine snails found along the barrier islands of Southwest Florida. They are much smaller thanF. tulipa. If youre ready for a rewarding natural treasure hunt, the seashell guide above will definitely get you started! One might mistake it for a Purple Dwarf Olive, but I have ruled that out because it has no color change on the whorl or band on the anterior end and it's too big to be another dwarf variety as it measures 1.5 in, 3.8 cm. The Purple Top Tiger Cowrie is commonly known as the Tiger Cowrie. All of this group are carnivores, feeding mainly on bivalves. banded tulip shell facts. Home. Are You Looking For A Guided Seashell Finding Tour in Southwest Florida? However, today they are not easy to find due to over-collecting. It possesses an outer shell that is light brown to dark brown and marked with black spots, similar to a tiger, but the purple resides in a lower layer. The Florida Volute is distinguished more by its size, elongated shape, and thin shell (some varieties have sturdier shells). They also look a little bit like a slipper! I found it in the backwater of the Indian River near an oyster bed at low tide. And a few other pretty shells. After about a month the tiny Tulips emerge from the eggs. It talks about the all-knowing all-seeing God. They are widely eaten, sometimes referred to by their French name bulot. Intertidal and down to 12 m. Common. Historically, Native Americans used the Knobbed Whelk to make their beaded wampum belts in exchange for trade. These shells can be distinguished by their unusual turkey wing shape, which looks like the outstretched wing of a bird. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. You cannot walk on the same beach two days in a row, which means the shells that are available to find are constantly in flux. They are also known as horned shells. Tulips are slow, aggressive carnivores, preying on other large gastropods, such as Pink Queen Conchs (and even other Tulip Shells) and bivalves, such as clams. The banded tulip shell does not grow as large as that of the true tulip, Fasciolaria tulipa. Begin by drawing the largest section of the tulip shell. The color varies with white background, light-gray and brownish markings, or rarely greenish. These common shells can grow to be fairly big, and a large, intact cockle shell is an exciting find for any collector! To reach the purple of the shells, they are dipped into an acidic formula. Banded tulip shells: It means acceptance. Plan to go to more than one beach to find the widest selection, or choose a secluded island, such as Marco Island. You wouldn't want to pick up a live auger because they have venomous, stinger-like teeth to subdue their prey, and the flesh may also be poisonous depending on the species. Apparently empty seashells outnumber the hermit crabs in Sanibel. Both the inner and outer lips are lined with arrays of small reddish-brown teeth bordered by dark speckles or spots. Coquinas shells are tiny bivalve shells that come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Colors range from pearly gray with splotches of olive green or tan. It's fitting since lightning whelks have . Junonia. The interior is white, mature specimens present a metallic gray on the margin of the outer lip. Comparing Queen Helmet and Cameo Helmet seashells. Learn More About Viewing Our 3D Images. During mating season, they may be observed in populated swarms. Wentletrap shells are home to a very small parasitic marine snail. They usually live in colonies. Sea Shell 679. The typical background color of the shell is ivory or blueish gray with mauve streaks, cloudings of white or gray, and revolving lines of rich, dark reddish brown . This snail, when threatened, can retreat into its house and close the door, or operculum, which is a lid-like horny plate on the gastropod's foot. It does not adapt well to life in the intertidal zones. It belongs to the family of Turbans Turbinidea. SUNSET. Seashell identification and seashell classification become easier when you sort them into these categories first. Learn how your comment data is processed. Cinctura lilium, common name the banded tulip, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fasciolariidae, the spindle snails, the tulip snails and their allies. Littorinoidea is the superfamily of both the sea and land snail varieties. The three most common types of whelks are the lightning whelk, knobbed whelk and channeled whelk. Some years are better than others. The inside is shiny and sometimes colored brown. The interior is darker brown with a wide, thick lip bearing a distinct indentation near the posterior end and slight ribs. Tulip's name. If youve found something that looks like a piece of spiral pasta that has washed up on the beach, you probably have a worm snail shell. Because we have a boat, we often get to be on deserted, Pingback: Sea Life Specimens Under Glass Seashells by Millhill, Pingback: Do Marine Hermit Crabs Kill Snails For Their Shells? This guide will also help with rare seashell identification. In some cases, you only need to walk along the coast to find perfect shells washing up on the shore. image_width = 130px regnum = Animalia phylum = Mollusca classis = Gastropoda subclassis = Orthogastropoda ordo = Sorbeoconcha subordo = Hypsogastropoda infraordo = Neogastropoda familia = Fasciolariidae The Banded Tulip's fine dark rings distinguishes it from the related True Tulip's dark brown and more mottled shell. The animal has two pairs of tentacles. Snail shells: It talks about patience. 38 Banded Tulip shells from Sanibel Island, Florida. The Cameo Helmet, also called Bull Mouth, Grinning Mouth, or Red Helmet, are characterized by thick, heavy shells that are used in making cameos. Moon Shells build a circular "sand collar," cementing the sand grains with a glue they produce, then deposit their eggs inside the protective ring. Junonia Shell. Don't be too disappointed if you don't find many shells when you visit! It's a protected species in Australia and other countries such as India but is illegally traded and found in shops around the world and on the internet for sale! The black shells are pen shells, and she even sees starfish (sea stars) on shore. Big, heavy, and impressive shells house a tasty animal known as the Queen Conch, which may find itself loved out of existence. The additional photo, taken by Amy Tripp near Marco Island, shows a female banded tulip in the process of laying egg cases. During the past century, it has spread rapidly along the Atlantic coast of North America, but they are rarely eaten in the United States. They possess several rows of ridges with glorious protruding spines. For the study, scientists recorded a total of 434 prey items being eaten by rays, spanning eight species of hard-shelled mollusks. BUTTERFLYWINGVINTAGE. This is how they look underwater in the wild. The largest recorded Junonia shell was only six inches long, and most are considerably smaller! Banded Tulip. The tulips are elongated shells which are similar in shape to the Horse Conch but don't get as large. A small predatory snail that feeds on clams. Also, the Lace Murex opening is on the smaller side. prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on June 25, 2019: Wow.I get complete information about shells. Gastropod shells are also single shells, but they do not have two parts. Colors vary from shell to shell; however, Banded Tulips are typically cream-colored with streaks of pink and tale-tell stripes running the length of its . These dud eggs are eaten by the normal, developing snails while they are still in the egg capsule. I love the tulip shells, and would love to find one to keep one day. This sea animal is almost always found alive, recognized by a burrowing ridge in the sand at low tide, somewhat resembling a mole in a field. What effort you put into this is very clear, Kathi. A true cockle has a heart-shaped shell that is rounded on the top. It is a decorative treasure sometimes modified to a trumpet, such as the Japanese "horagai.". Carrier Shell. Banded tulip. This shell houses a yellow, spotted snail that lives deep on the ocean floor, which is part of what makes the shell so rare. Its easy to distinguish a jingle shell by its paper-like translucence. They tend to be yellow, grey, white, or tan with a left-handed tail. Because of the way they look, they are sometimes known as Mermaids toenails.. M-890 BANDED TULIP SHELL, Fasciolaria lilium. The innermost interior is deep brown or purple outlined with orange and often grooved on the outer lip. The opening is eye-shaped with a "spout" at the back end. Murex shells and their kin include over a thousand species, counting the Drills, which have become serious pests in oyster beds. Its been a while since weve gone out because the weather has cooled off. Both are at full adult size. For whatever reasons, I always find lovely olive and whelk shells there empty, but in nice condition. The egg cases in the third image were laid in a Museum aquarium. Moon Shells. Several thick lines spiral parallel to the whorls of the shell; they are uninterrupted and are more pronounced than in the True Tulip. The most traditional example of a gastropod shell is a conch shell, but whelks also commonly live in gastropod shells. These shells are very delicate, due to their unique spikes. Located in: Mason, Ohio, United States . Pingback: Gathering Photos to Compare Seashells That Look Similar | Seashells by Millhill. Cyrtopleura costata -Angel Wing. Banded Tulip Cinctura lilium, commonly referred to as the banded tulip, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fasciolariidae. They are creamy-white with rows of reddish brown splotches, some resembling letters of the alphabet. The Turritelline gastropods are moderately diverse and abundant. Today. Armadillos have a strong olfactory sense, and can smell up to 20 cm below the ground. Step 1 - Draw the Base of the Shell Tulip shell base drawing. Using its radula, a toothed tongue, the Tulip bores a hole through the shell of its victim, and then inserts the tongue to devour the soft contents. These gastropod shells are white and polished, similar to porcelain. It grazes on algae and detritus (gravel, sand, silt). The Florida species is lighter tan with stripped bands while the Cuming's has a more speckled pattern. It contains 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Spiraled top of a mature Lightning Whelk shell, Spiraled top of a juvenile Lightning Whelk shell. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Much has been written about this species with its beauty, size, many uses, and popularity. The word can be traced from a certain Persian word ''delband'' which means turban. True tulip. They have interesting curves, but one side of a turkey wing shell is often completely straight. It's one of the few animals that feed on the Crown of Thorns Starfish, a large and destructive species having killed extensive areas of coral on the Great Barrier Coral Reef of Australia. On the same muddy island I also came across this gorgeous banded tulip. The base is flattened with an iridescent white interior. We estimate that 6011 Banded Tulip Dr would rent between $1,610 - $1,985 / mo. In fact, I rarely find Tulip shells at all. They are shaped like a spindle that opens in the middle and forms a pointy spire on the ends. Body whorl exhibits 5 to 6 dark brown, widely spaced, spiral lines. Scientific Name: Fasciolaria hunteria Reef Compatibility: No Minimum Tank Size: 60 gal Max Size: 4 inches Approximate Purchase Size: 1 1/2 to 3 inches Food/Feeding: Carnivore Notes: The Banded Tulip Snail is a predatory snail that feeds on clams and other snails. Interior of a Queen Conch seashell (Strombus, gigas). The Lettered Olive is light brown with an overlay of darker brown that resembles lettering and has a glossy finish. Usually, both halves are symmetrical, if not identical. Fasciolaria tulipa (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most celebrated local marine snails. The shell may reach a height of over four inches. The highly polished shell has a marbelized pattern of grey, brown, and white with distinct purple-brown spiral bands. They are just as flat when theyre alive, and burrow on the ocean floor. Shark Eye - Gulf. Cancellations within 48 hours of your excursion will result in forfeiture of payment. The color is grayish, brownish over dull white, sometimes yellow or light brown. Olive shells come in an elongated oval shape and tend to bleach white in the sun. Size: 5-7 cm. Shell - Color, Facts, Power, Mythology, History And Myths. The dark distinct spiral lines are less crowded than with their relatives, the True Tulip. 18. Both ends are pointy. Conchs, as with all sea snails, have a well-developed head with eyes, tentacles, and a mouth; a broad muscular foot for crawling, and a soft body mass that is protected by their shell. Collectors especially love to polish this beauty and put them up for sale! The highly polished shell has a marbelized pattern of grey, brown, and white with distinct purple-brown spiral bands. In her video you will see lots of tulips, alive and not, and watch her add some beauties to her collection (which must be huge). You need to be careful when gathering these shells, as their size makes them more likely to wash up on shore alive. Check out our banded tulip shell selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. . The top of the cone or spire has a small pointy apex. These shells are predominantly found along Floridas coast. The Apple Murex is mostly tan or light brown with darker brown markings and white highlights. I thought it was the norm as a kid. #BandedTulip #Cincturahunteria #Fasciolariatulipa, info@shellmuseum.org | MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 1195, Captiva, FL 33924, USA, 2020Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Color: Light orangy-brown with white. The sample above measures to only about an inch and a half. Distribution [ edit ] This species occurs from the North Carolina coast all the way south and west to the Gulf coast of Texas , also in the West Indies and Brazil . The color is generally cream to light fawn, with shades of brown and blue-gray streaks and/or spots. It has an elevated spire and distinct sutures. Banded Tulip Shell Icon Vector Design. The interior appears polished and may be pink, orange, or purple. Armadillos have a very low body temperature that ranges between 33 C to 36 C. 3. Fasciolaria lillium G. Fischer, 1807. Has a thick flared outer lip. There is nothing more exciting than seeing shells line the beach as far as the horizon. If you want to improve your odds, one tip is to set out early in the morning, especially during low tide or after a storm. Adults may have up to 15 whorls that bulge with fine concentric lines. Females will lay eggs in an aquarium in vase shaped horny capsules. That is, you should learn to accept people for who they are. The Conch is another rare and beautiful gastropod shell found in Florida. * We are so excited to be seeing all this new life out there especially in the aftermath of . All of our shells have been found by my husband and I in the SW part of Florida in the Sanibel Island area, Marco Island beaches, and the 10K islands. Also the color pattern is different: the color splotches appear as a redder color (blue in rare areas) and the stripes that give the banded tulip its name are much farther apart. The species, which may reach in excess of 4 inches in size, is also present in other parts of the Gulf of Mexico, eastern Florida, and northern Caribbean Sea. Mohd Hammud. Banded Tulip. The Atlantic Bubble or Striate Bubble Shell is barrel-shaped, has light brown spots with many light and dark flecks, and has a white opening. I have provided easy-to-follow descriptions for identification as well as some interesting facts and beautiful photographs from a variety of shells in my personal collection of 40+ varieties. Details about large banded tulip shell ocean gulf sea beach sand See original listing. We must keep on schedules. Amazing shells! Kathi Mirto (author) from Fennville on June 24, 2019: Thanks for the visit, Jackie, and thanks for noticing my efforts! Of course, the best way to be sure of its identity is its richly golden, shiny aperture. It has a solid elongated shell with a tall spire. After exposure to the sun, sand dollars become bleached. Neotype illus. Then, after Ian, was walking beach at Peninsula State Park (Ormond), nd saw the most vivid banded tulip right by the ocean surf. The lightning whelk is the state shell of Texas, but it can still be found washing up on Floridas beaches. The following Florida Shell Identification guide will teach you about the rare and prized shells you are likely to find on Floridas beaches if you are patient! The shell color is very variable, with variations around a theme of fine spiral bands and . (3.5") 9 cm. Florida marine life blog and custom stationery store. Conch shells are medium to large in size and can be identified by their two distinct points. The egg case looks like a small version of that of the true tulip, minus the frilled edges. Texas Lightning Whelks are darker brown than Lightning Whelks from other locations. Even in these less desirable states, the markings on the shells obviously differ. He wasnt bothered at all by our approach! As a rule, their shells are thick and sturdy. Id never heard of tulip shells but they gorgeous especially when cloaked in that rosy pink color! Newest results. SHELLING Seashells have gentle but thorough healing energy which works with the healer to cleanse, balance and harmonize chakras and the aura. Shelling is a decades-old activity that is just as fun for kids as it is for adults. The outer lip is sharp, strong, slightly flaring, and yellowish-white. Most young snails feed on algae, while adults feed on seaweed. These shells tend to have rows of swirling brown stripes that form unique patterns. When the limpet is alive, the hole is how waste and water exit the shell. Some tulip shells can grow quite large, and are an exciting find for collectors! Check out this awesome live banded tulip shell that my friend Kevin found at the beach this morning. More than just a boat taxi, you can enjoy a guided shelling adventure on one of Floridas most pristine shelling beaches! I agree. After observing the above two Cerith species, I'm sure you can see their similarities and differences. The living body can be even fancier than the shell. Jingle shells are named for the sound they make when shaken, and come in a range of colors. Juveniles lack the spikes. With this candidate in mind, Tate asked Texas shell clubs for support. Limpets are fans of rocky shores and are fairly common in North America. Auger Shell. They have a slender triangular shape, with a small aperture and a very long spire. The Common Periwinkle is the largest, most common, and most widespread of the Atlantic species. The spikes improve the snail's stability and prevent it from toppling over as it hops. Spotted slipper shells are sometimes called boat shells because, when held upside down, they resemble tiny, flat-decked ships. Book With Sand Dollar Shelling! The Lightning Whelk is one of the loveliest. It's thick and flattened conically. Ive been there several times and the only shells I found were battered pieces of shells. The above classification corresponds to that published by the. Mottled with purplish-brown or brown. I was careful how I held this one because that hermit crab was big. The Alphabet Cone is a medium size and obviously shaped like a cone, as with all the cones from which there are about a dozen species in the Florida corals and rocks. Seashells from the U.S. Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Indo-Pacific regions. There are 35 different species of limpet in North America, and many of them make their home in the south Atlantic! The banded tulip shell is a spindle-shaped ivory or gray gastropod shell with swirling brown bands or stripes. It has an elevated spire and distinct sutures. Note about Ceriths: You may find them scurrying around in shallow ocean lagoons, but look more closely. Horse Conchs are bumpy at the top whereas Tulips are smooth. Triton's Trumpet (aka Giant Triton) shell. The dark distinct spiral lines are less crowded than with their relatives, the True Tulip. The banded tulip is a warm-water shell with a smooth, curving shape. DOLPHIN All whelks are predators with a rasping tongue-like structure to siphon into mostly clams or scavenged carrion. If you have found an intact Junonia shell, you have had some great luck! I found this amazing video made by Pam Rambo who writes the blog i love shelling. It has about 10 whorls on the way up to a pointy spire. The shell is thick and the surface is rough and ridged with wrinkly columns. I live in SC, and I have found the best shelling here is Foley Beach near Charleston. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I learn much from this article. Sometimes the apex is red, others, goldish. The body is inflated especially at the shoulder, topped with a few spiral grooves and a pointy spire. Texture: Raised horizontal bands with spiny ridges; corrogated "flanks" down the sides. The Queen Conch (pronounced "conk") is a tropical marine mollusk sea snail with a spiral shell that may bear numerous knobs, a long spire, and a flared lip. These shells can be found in the subtropical-tropical regions of the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and South American coasts. Their shell opening is right-sided and elongated. They prey on other mid-size gastropods. Colors variable creamy white with brown, tan, or blue-gray bands sometimes creating a checkered almost plaid-like pattern. These shells are also fragile and do tend to wash up on the shore in pieces. I was always telling my husband about Sanibel and I dont think he believed me assumed I had exaggerated childhood memories. The smooth and dainty shell packs a pretty ruthless snail inside. 6011 Banded Tulip Dr is a 1349 square foot property with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. None of them held the snail that made the shell, which was unfortunate. My shell is not fossilized so perhaps they have made a comeback or I have misidentified it, but I don't believe so! When you find a gastropod shell, you have always found the complete shell. Their habitat is off the coast of North Carolina as far south (and west) as Alabama and perhaps over to Texas. They almost always have a high, pointed spire. The color of the shell is highly variable, with the base being white or cream and often presenting, tan, brown, purplish, or bluish-black patches. Ended: Jan 31, 2023. Semisulcate Moon Shell . Some tulip shells can grow quite large, and are an exciting find for collectors! Once a big enough hole has opened, the snail inserts its foot and begins to feed. What a let down to find that no where else even remotely compares to Sanibel! Dante The Opera Artists; Dante Virtual Opera; Divine Comedy; About IOT. Their outer shell may be colored whitish, grayish, or pale brown, the aperture is oval with hollow spiny edges. This Banded Tulip (Fasciolaria ilium) was found at a construction site near the water. *Boats leave and return promptly tardiness results in your trip being shorter. The anterior end tilts right. It also means that you can see into the spirit world. Chione cencellata - Cross-barred Venus. If Id been able to collect it, the colors after cleaning would have been beautiful. True tulips, like the one pictured here, grow larger than the banded variety and they have less distinct horizontal bands. Spindle-shaped and cream-colored with streaks of of pink, the banded tulip shell features stripes around its body. Rock Oysters are known to feed on other oysters and mussels and may be able to attack those prey in groups, to maximize feeding efficiency. Volutes may hunt their prey from the surface, but often burrow to eat their prey under the sand. I called my son over to see the shell and the crab just kept moving along. The Banded Tulip grows to three inches long and lives in water 2 to 150 feet deep. Seashells from the Ocean's Edge Pictorial Index (Note: See also alphabetical index.) Kathi Mirto (author) from Fennville on November 19, 2019: Thanks for the information, Didn't know all that I have! All cone snail stings are toxic; always use caution when collecting their shells. The Moon Shell Shark Eye varies in colors from slate-gray to tan or pinkish, blended with creamy-white. A small predatory snail that feeds on clams. True Tulip Shell (Fasciolaria tulipa ) - Regions: Americas, India, etc. When you find one, its important to check and make sure that it is not occupied by a living (or recently deceased) snail! The Snake Head Cowrie, as with other cowries, is oval-shaped, with a raised central area. . Only as adults, the lips of the shell are thick and flared. Fig Shell. The Arabic Cowry is named for the irregular patterns of thin longitudinal brown lines that are sometimes interrupted by empty spaces, giving an appearance considered similar to Arabic script. I found a banded tulip, just about an inch long, in a tidepool at the beach at Ormond by the Sea, but it too had a hermit crab in it, so go a photo, enjoyed it and moved on. The towering Boring Turret Snail is not as commonly found because it remains offshore farther than most. Wells 1969). The Striate Bubble is among the largest. Id love to visit the beaches in the Carolinas and do some shell collecting. They are shaped like a spindle that opens in the middle and forms a pointy spire on the ends. I did not notice this until I looked at my photos! Beaches are naturally impermanent. Whelks are commonly mistaken for conch shells because of their similarities to the conch shells found on Florida beaches including conical shapes and wide openings. Vector Design EPS 10 File. One source claims they are extinct. The typical Banded Tulip Shell has seven thin distinct brown lines on its main body whorl, and the sutures between the whorls are smooth. Turbo Snails are found in tropical regions around the world. The photo on the right depicts a cluster of egg capsules laid by a Banded Tulip in the Museum live tank; the Banded Tulip egg capsules look like smaller versions of those of the True Tulip, minus the frilled edges of typical of the capsules laid by this latter species. M-890 BANDED TULIP SNAIL, Fasciolaria hunteria. Seashells. WHERE are the shells? All members of the family Volutidae are carnivorous. They are all spindle shells. Tulip shells - both have hermit crabs inside. The carnivorous black snail uses its tongue to bore a hole through a victim's shell and chow down on its prey. On this day, there turned out to be a whole lot to see. The shell may reach a height of over four inches. . Usually the hermits stay tucked up inside, but sometimes I find a brave guy who likes to come out. Seashells, Fish, and Beach. The Florida Fighting Conch is another favorite among collectors and one of the more common finds along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines. Background color is grayish with darker bluish-gray streaks. But, as you can tell, this day was different. Though small, this elusive specimen is a rare and valuable jewel, waiting to be discovered. The gorgeous color of a true tulip shell. It is typically colored orange to dark brown. Summer is the best season for this. Banded Tulip Snail. Also, it's anything but dull and lacks deep ridges, so I don't want to say for sure that it's a "Common Periwinkle" species. Cowries have egg-shaped, glossy shells and are in high demand for rock aquariums. Wentletrap shells are also known as staircase or ladder shells because of their delicate and unique structure. Another primary reason why it is linked to Turkey is that the people of Turkey decorated their turbans using a tulip stem. They are all "spindle" shells.