{"id":11319,"date":"2012-07-06T19:22:56","date_gmt":"2012-07-06T23:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.iloveshelling.com\/blog\/?p=11319"},"modified":"2015-09-17T22:24:18","modified_gmt":"2015-09-18T02:24:18","slug":"shell-raisers-on-the-beaches-of-sanibel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iloveshelling.com\/blog\/2012\/07\/06\/shell-raisers-on-the-beaches-of-sanibel\/","title":{"rendered":"Shell Raisers On The Beaches Of Sanibel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"live<\/a><\/p>\n

Hundreds of live FIGHTING CONCHS raised out of the sand at Lighthouse Beach\u00a0yesterday\u00a0to take a look around as the tide was going out.<\/p>\n

\"fighting<\/a><\/p>\n

I found one of the FIGHTING CONCHS hanging out in a tidal pool… but wait… I noticed something in the water beside it…<\/p>\n

\"florida<\/a><\/p>\n

This FLORIDA FIGHTING CONCH was laying EGGS! The eggs are released in a gelatinous egg string then sand adheres to its thick jelly-like sheath.<\/p>\n

\"flighting<\/a><\/p>\n

I tried to get close enough to see how the eggs are released without disturbing this busy gal. If you look closely, you can see them shooting out! It’s that spout perpendicular to the eye. Go Momma! Raise some more shells!<\/p>\n

\"Strombus<\/a><\/p>\n

I think this is a FIGHTING CONCH EGG STRING as well…. but why would she lay her eggs without being in the water? I followed the trail from the string to a healthy FIGHTING CONCH about a yard away. Hmmm. Maybe that jelly like sheath protects them when the tide recedes. I dunno, but I hope she raises healthy shells and I sure love to find new things like this!<\/p>\n

\"fighting<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking of “raising shell”…. We met the Shell Raisers\u00a0at Blind Pass Sanibel! These 2 brothers, Eric and Chris, have been shelling all their lives and they even witnessed a BANDED TULIP laying eggs in their live shell tank.<\/p>\n

\"shell<\/a><\/p>\n

Chris found that huge WHELK but put it back in the water since was\u00a0occupied by\u00a0a monster HERMIT CRAB.\u00a0They were vacationing on Sanibel with their family from the east coast of Florida . Here are Chris and Eric with (from left to right) their mom Cheryl, Sarah, Amelia and Ava.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Back at the Sanibel lighthouse, Linda (Pensacola, FL) was busy finding the mini shells…<\/p>\n

\"linda<\/a><\/p>\n

She found a mega WENTLETRAP along with some other sweet minis…<\/p>\n

\"lindas<\/a><\/p>\n

Her best find was this gorgeous MANGROVE PERIWINKLE…<\/p>\n

\"mangrove<\/a><\/p>\n

If you look closely you can see a beautiful purple lip…<\/p>\n

\"mangrove<\/a><\/p>\n

Bobby (Houston TX) finally found what he was looking for…WENTLETRAPS!!<\/p>\n

\"bobby<\/a><\/p>\n

I was asked a question on I Love Shelling Facebook page by Diane F \u00a0about a shell I.D. It was that ROSE WOLF SNAIL again! I told y’all<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>I keep forgetting the name of that shell but now that I can remember the name, \u00a0I completely forgot to put it on my SEASHELL IDENTIFICATION<\/a><\/strong> page. This shell keeps stumping me some how! Thanks Diane for asking about this shell and sending such a beautiful picture of it. I’m going to use photo for my I.D page- Thank you!<\/p>\n

\"rosy<\/a><\/p>\n

Okay, one more thing… I saw the dolphins playing near the pier last night and I just happened to video them racing along the shoreline in front of an unsuspecting family. This is no fancy video…just a little clip of our own little Sanibel Sea World…<\/p>\n