These shells can be seen through, (though the lighting was bad in the attached photographs) two species are listed in my shell identification book, with a second verification in another Shells book. Baby Ear is the name of this particular shell.
The two species, are Maculated Baby's Ear Sinum maculatum, measuring 1-2", found throughout the Carolinas and West Coast of Florida.
Common Baby's Ear, Sinum perspectivum, 1-2", and found throughout Virginia through Florida, Gulf of Mexico and West Indies.
White Baby-Ear Sinum perspectivum (Say)
Description: (1 3/4 inches) Flat, smooth, ovate shell. Well-named. Low spiral cords on upper side of whorl. When alive, almost completely covered by mantle; resembles a piece of white gristle. No umbilicus. Large, round aperture. No operculum.
Color: White exterior. Pale brown periostracum. Yellowish cream mantle.
Habitat: Commonly found in shallow offshore waters and washed onto ocean beaches.
Range: Maryland to Brazil.
Notes: Also called Common Atlantic Baby-Ear.
Source: Seashells of North Carolina, North Carolina Sea Grant College Program
3 comments:
our 7 year old granddaughter found 4 white baby's ear shells on the Atlantic shore of Indian Beach, Salter Path, NC, today. This location is midway on Emerald Isle, NC.
Hurricane Bill has left all sorts of treasures in Kill Devil Hills, NC for us to find. The baby ears we have found are gray, marble, blue, white, and even one with stripes. They are BIG and small - what a treat! My Nannie called them Venus Ears - but baby's ear is good too :)
Carova, NC (4x4 area of OBX) is covered with them right now.
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