I found this small shell of a juvenile Horse conch on the beach at Sanibel Island.
Gastropod Sanibel Island, FL Dec. 16, 2009 I was delighted to find this Lettered Olive plowing through the sand early one morning at low tide. I was out on the beach before sunrise each morning, I was amazed at the number of animals that emerged from the sand to forage for food. I gently pulled this animal out of the sand to get a photo, then I put it back so it could resume hunting for breakfast. The large tan and white-splotched foot, antennae and proboscis is visible. Many people are surprised to learn the "pointed" end of the shell is the back, the open end is the front and the direction the animal moves.
The Lettered Olive plowing through the sand in search of food. Note the long tan proboscis extending from its head. These animals are the "speedsters" of the gastropods, they can move quite rapidly on their single foot!
