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Busycon carica (Gmelin, 1791)
Knobbed Whelk
Florida native
Knobbed whelks can be found along Florida's east coast. The range is the western North Atlantic along most of the United States and can be found washed up on beaches from Miami, FLorida to Portland, Maine.
Busycon carica is the second largest species of this genus, with shells of up to 30.5cm (12 in.) long. They are usually right-handed shells (when the shell is held with the spiral at the top and the opening is towards the viewer, the opening will be on the right side). A ring of knob-like projections extend out from the shoulder of the shell. SHells are ivory or pale gray and the inside of the opening (the aperture) is orangish.
Busycon carica is a member of the Busyconidae - Whelks family.
iNaturalist profile for this species
Date record last modified: Nov 22, 2025
