Common Whelk Shell (1) – Empty shell of the common British marine gastropod mollusc – Buccinum undatum (Linnaeus). P1300249aBlog1
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Common Whelk Shell (1) – Empty shell of the common British marine gastropod mollusc – Buccinum undatum (Linnaeus). P1300249aBlog1
Jessica's Nature Blog 
How large does the common whelk grow in UK waters? We have seen some that appear to be at least 6″ from tip to toe and assume that they are most likely from elsewhere in the world? i.e. in warmer climes?
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Hello, David,
According the a Linnaean Society publication on Prosobranch Molluscs, the average height of Buccinum undatum, the Common Whelk, is 80 mm or 3 and 1/8 inches. I have some large shell specimens myself that measure 95 mm or 3 and 3/4 inches. Wikipedia says that the maximum recorded height is 100 mm which is about 4 inches.
So the shells that you have found appear to be unusually large for that species. I am wondering where you found the whelks, and whether it was just the shells or were the animals still alive within them.
Interesting! It is difficult to say whether they have come from somewhere else in the world without knowing more details.
Kind regards
Jessica
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