{"id":21921,"date":"2017-05-26T13:15:33","date_gmt":"2017-05-26T17:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/currents\/?p=9665"},"modified":"2024-05-21T15:54:10","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T19:54:10","slug":"turning-20-seashells-of-north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/turning-20-seashells-of-north-carolina\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning 20:Seashells of North Carolina<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo: Many different treasures, including seashells, can be found on North Carolina’s coast. Photo by Terri Kirby Hathaway<\/em><\/p>\n

By Danielle Costantini<\/h3>\n

Help celebrate 20 years of Seashells of North Carolina<\/em><\/a> \u2014 a beloved guide to identifying seashells on our coast.<\/p>\n

Written by Hugh Porter and Lynn Houser, this beachcomber\u2019s bible has been trusted by many to assist in the identification of common and rare shells on our beaches. It features photography by Scott Taylor and was edited by Jeannie Faris Norris. The book is published by North Carolina Sea Grant, and\u00a0now distributed by the University of North Carolina Press.<\/p>\n

\"\"
For avid collectors and casual finders alike, this beachcomber’s bible identifies commonly found shells on our coast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe are very excited to partner with UNC Press as the new distributor of Seashells<\/em> \u2014 and together bring this book into its 20th year,\u201d says Katie Mosher, Sea Grant communications director.<\/p>\n

With summer fast approaching, people are heading to the beaches to sunbathe, swim and sift through the sand for treasure. From shark\u2019s teeth to long-forgotten buckets and shovels, what many prowl the beach for are the beautiful seashells that wash in with the tide.<\/p>\n

Seashells are external skeletons of animals called mollusks that once lived inside. The shell protects the soft inner body from predators, as well as from harsh currents capable of tossing the tiny creatures around in the waves.<\/p>\n

The most common mollusk shells found on the beaches of North Carolina are of the classes Bivalvia<\/em> and Gastropodia<\/em>. The name bivalve comes from the two valves, or parts of the shell, that are hinged together like a door. Common bivalves are clams, oysters and scallops. Gastropods only have one part to their shell, and include snails and slugs. These facts, among many others, are highlighted in the book.<\/p>\n

By the time seashells are picked up on the shore, the slimy creatures inside usually are long gone. All that remains are the calcium carbonate shells. These shells come in varying sizes, shapes and color.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven today, when I pick up seashells, I am amazed that animals created them. It\u2019s fascinating to think about a creature extracting the calcium carbonate from the ocean water and making a home for themselves,\u201d explains Terri Kirby Hathaway, Sea Grant marine education specialist and avid\u00a0beachcomber<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To identify a shell, look at the\u00a0shell structure and markings, a process detailed\u00a0in Seashells of North Carolina<\/em>. Color is generally the least reliable indicator, as it is heavily influenced by external factors. Two shells of the same species can look very different depending on things like location or sun exposure. Beachcombers usually find shells easier to\u00a0identify based on characteristics like texture, size and shape.<\/p>\n

\u201cVeteran shell collectors prefer good black-and-white photographs that show the details of the shell\u2019s surface sculpture and markings,”\u00a0Seashells <\/em>notes.<\/p>\n

There is no right or wrong time to look for shells. Tides constantly bring in new treasures all day and night. Right before or after low tide is usually when the most shells are exposed. For the largest selection, getting an early start in the morning may be your best bet.<\/p>\n

Good sunlight is necessary, as having visibility is important. With this in mind, those long walks on the beach in the rain might not be the best time to search for the shells; however, right after a storm is the perfect time to discover\u00a0what rough seas have brought in.<\/p>\n

On all of North Carolina\u2019s beaches you can find beautiful shells. Coastal Living<\/em> magazine ranked Ocracoke Island as one of the best beaches for finding seashells in the nation.<\/p>\n

There may be a lot of competition, though. Many summer days on the coast are crowded with locals and tourists out on the beach.<\/p>\n

\"\"
With careful searching, you may be able to find a Scotch Bonnet, the state shell. Photo by Vanda Lewis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While enjoying your time on the coast, do remember to be considerate of others and of the beach. Don\u2019t go on private property and be cognizant of the rules of state and national parks. Unless you are prepared to take care of a new pet, it is best to make sure the shell is empty of its previous inhabitant before you take it home. Most importantly, have fun and appreciate the beauty of nature in North Carolina.<\/p>\n

Celebrate the warm weather and Seashells of North Carolina.<\/em>\u00a0Every Sunday, now through Labor Day, we will be posting on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Pinterest<\/a>. Look for the hashtag #NCSeashells<\/strong> from @seagrantNC and @UNCPressblog to learn more about beachcombing, shells and the book itself.<\/p>\n

If you have a great shell you just can\u2019t wait to share, tag us and use the hashtag, or send a picture to dncostan@ncsu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you are interested, buy\u00a0Seashells of North Carolina<\/em>\u00a0online at ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/bookstore<\/a>. Also check bookstores and gift shops where UNC Press publications are sold.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Celebrate 20 years of Seashells of North Carolina<\/em> \u2014 a beloved guide to identifying seashells on our coast \u2014 all summer long. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":9675,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[761],"tags":[],"_ncst_magazine_issue":[],"class_list":["post-21921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-currents"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTurning 20:Seashells of North Carolina - Coastwatch<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/turning-20-seashells-of-north-carolina\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Turning 20:Seashells of North Carolina - 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