WHELKS
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
The common or rough Whelk ranges from Labrador
to New Jersey and
can also be found in abundance on the European
Atlantic Coast south
to the Mediterranean Sea. Belonging to a group
of shellfish named
gastropods, the Whelk has a robust,
spirally-coiled shell.
When the Whelk's body is extended, the most
obvious feature is its
large muscular foot, the under surface of which
is freely lubricated with
slime and used for creeping over the ocean
bottom. On its head, two
tentacles protrude with a light sensitive eye at
the base of each. Between
the tentacles is a long extended tube that
serves as a mouth.
COMMON NAMES
The rough Whelk is a marine snail with many
other common names
such as waved, edible Whelk, buckie, bourgeau
and vigonot.
BREEDING AND FEEDING HABITS
Whelks lay several hundred eggs at once, but
each are laid in
individual capsules; some capsules attach
together and form
a spongelike mass. Whelks are active and
carnivorous, feeding on
living or dead animals, which it grasps with its foot.
HABITAT
Whelks are common along the northern coast of
the North Atlantic
Ocean, occurrence from the low-water mark to a
depth of about 180m.
GROWTH
They are known to grow to a length of 7.5 to
15cm(about 3
to 6 inches).
PRODUCTION & SURVIVAL
Natural enemies of the Whelk include fish such
as cod and dogfish,
crabs, starfish and seagulls.
ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS
The common, or rough Whelk, ranges from Labrador
to New Jersey and can
also be found in abundance on the European
Atlantic coast south to the
Mediterranean Sea.