GIANT Queen Helmet conch sea shell, Cassis madagascariensis, cameo/carving, NICE

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GIANT Queen Helmet conch sea shell, Cassis madagascariensis, cameo/carving, NICE:
$85.00

Giant Queen Helmet, Cassis Madagascariensis sea shell

Measures: 101/2 High x 7 1/2 Wide & Weighs 3.65 LBS

This shell was caught this spring off the Florida Keys. These shells are legal to harvest,as theycannibalize other conch shells, mainly the protected Queen Conch.

I don\'t clean the shell, as I know collectors have different methods. I remove the conch, which we eat, brush any grass or growth off and the rest is up to the buyer.

I have a few of these shells listed, theyvary in condition & size which is reflected in the starting price.

This shell is very large, heavy in weight (flat rate large box is the least expensive method of shipment) and IMPRESSIVE!

This shell would make a fantastic addition to any collection!

I use a high quality lens so all imperfections are visible.

The Helmet seashells can be Kings or Queens, but surprisingly, the Queen Helmetis larger. It’s scientific name is Cassis madagascariensis, which includes the word “madagascar”, the name given over 100 years ago when it was thought (incorrectly) that the shell was found on the island of Madagascar.

It is not easy to find a Queen Helmet, which is also known as an Emperor Helmet, as the populations are low, but it lives in shallow sandy water and on coral reefs to 30 feet deep. In Florida, it is most often found on the Eastern coastline from mid-state to throughout the Florida Keys, but it may also be found from the North Carolina coast to the West Indies.

The shell can be 12-14 inches long and has a wide opening that looks like a big, crazy grin with teeth no less! Not real teeth, but markings resembling teeth. The shell is stocky and heavy and light colored except for the opening (aperture) which is caramel tan. The spire (pointed part) is flattened, which gives it its chunky appearance.