Horsehead Conch indeed!
This gastropod is not even a member of the conch family.
It is however, the largest gastropod in American waters. It is also the largest in the world.
The shell can reach 24 inches! It lives at or near 20 feet of water.
It feeds on other gastropods including the tulip shell, lightning whelk, Queen Conch and some murex. They have also exhibited cannibalistic behaviour, eating others smaller than themselves.
Yesh!
They have also been observed eating hermit crabs!
The creature inside is a bright orange, probably to scare off predators.
Generally bright colored things in the ocean are poisonous.
Interestingly, when I "goggled" horsehead conch, the first 3 photos were of paintings I have done in previous years! I guess no one else paints them!
Horsehead Conch, Acrylic on canvas, 6 x 6
Day5 of the 100 days~100 paintings Spring 2019
You have the corner market then!!!! 😊
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