It was brought to my attention (thanks Julia) that the shell I had listed for Texas in a recent post was wrong. The official state shell of Texas is the Lightning Whelk Busycon perversum. This has now been corrected after extensive research. Well, basically I just googled Texas and some conchologists.
I found the Lightning Whelk listed as the official state shell in the Texas State Archives and on the website for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. So, I'm siding with the Texans and am happy to let the conchologists continue their discussion.
Now we all know that Texas prides itself with BIG things — BIG cars, BIG houses and BIG hair…
but did you know they also have the BIGGEST snail shell?
Not the biggest example, the actual biggest snail shell in the world!
Take a look at this baby…
This world record shell is an Australian Trumpet and measures 30 inches (72.6 cm) in length.
Holy moly, could you imagine finding this washed up on the shore?
And that's not the only big shell they have on exhibit…
I just love how they exhibit them in a BIG way…
The record has been set straight, as far as I'm concerned…my daddy taught me to never argue with a Texan!
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History may house the world's largest shell collection, some 15 million specimens and the Bailey's Shell Museum in Sanibel, Florida may be the world's only museum devoted solely to mollusks, but the display in Houston is AMAZING!
Here's a video tour with one of the curators and yes, he does say in the video that the Lightning Whelk Busycon perversum IS the state shell of Texas. Thanks David, for clearing this up for all of us.
Now for my fellow shellers, you might just want to watch this video for the information he gives on cones shells. Did you know that in other countries they are venomous? Whoa…I won't be looking for those on any dive trips. Not that I dive, but you know what I mean.
I generally try to stay out of the ant bed, but Houston's museums & nature exhibits are wonderful. Went to the shell hall several years ago, it's indeed a gorgeous display... hard to tear yourself away.
p.s. not all of us have big hair...just so ya know ;-)
This is entirely awesome, Rhonda. It is like a dinosaur shell!! What a neat place to go! Do you have a record size shell in your collection [meaning record size for you}?
Thanks for your comments today....you are right, the room may have a beachy feel, the aqua is almost like sea glass!
Hey........easy on the big mouths....well, ok. Never mind. We do have pretty big mouths that overload our brains, often!!! But your daddy had wise advice....NEVER argue with a Texan...we like to win!! Always!! Our lakehouse is in Uncertain, TX....where is it? Not sure. HA.
I'd like to see you sick that shell in the pocket of your shelling shorts. Gosh ...what am I thinking...we are mobile now thanks to our new beach carts.
Holy Moly Rhonda I've always wanted to say Holy Moly in a blog post but thought people might be offended.. hahaha... but this deserves a Holy Moly if anything does!!!
Wow! That is the big momma of all shells there! OMG! If you came across that one on the beach I bet it was because you literally ran into it! LOL! Thanks for sharing this, I had no idea there was a shell that large anywhere. Leave it to Texas to have one! LOL! Love this!
I love the beach and everything that goes with it! I love the waves lapping at my feet. I love the feel of the sand between my toes. I love the roar of the Pacific and the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. Let's talk about beaches around the world, bonfires, building sandcastles, swaying palm trees, flamingos, clambakes, sunrises and sunsets. If it's tropical, it fits this blog!
20 Thoughtful Comments:
Hey, you left out big egos, & big mouths!
I generally try to stay out of the ant bed, but Houston's museums & nature exhibits are wonderful.
Went to the shell hall several years ago, it's indeed a gorgeous display... hard to tear yourself away.
p.s. not all of us have big hair...just so ya know ;-)
This is entirely awesome, Rhonda. It is like a dinosaur shell!! What a neat place to go! Do you have a record size shell in your collection [meaning record size for you}?
Thanks for your comments today....you are right, the room may have a beachy feel, the aqua is almost like sea glass!
XO,
Janew
Wow! Now that is some shell, Rhonda! I always love going shelling with you...
XO,
Sheila (who is tired from her ordeal tonight and a bit out of sorts... LOL!)
All I have to say is WOW! Those shells are really HUGE!
Really interesting!
Conchologist, huh?!
How cool would it be to find one HALF that size!
Hey........easy on the big mouths....well, ok. Never mind. We do have pretty big mouths that overload our brains, often!!! But your daddy had wise advice....NEVER argue with a Texan...we like to win!! Always!!
Our lakehouse is in Uncertain, TX....where is it? Not sure. HA.
Awesome find...., great to know!!!!!! 30 inches, I'm trying to imagine that, haha! Just tweeded and facebooked this. So cool.
I'd like to see you sick that shell in the pocket of your shelling shorts. Gosh ...what am I thinking...we are mobile now thanks to our new beach carts.
Love ya !
This rocks! Absolutely amazing!
Smiles~
Cricket
Very interesting. Great post.
Honey, if you found a shell that big they'd have to tote you off the beach on a stretcher (along with a death grip on that thing)!
Holy moly, alright! You gotta dive for those suckers, don't you if they're going to come up in such perfect condition?
Holy moly, alright! You gotta dive for those suckers, don't you if they're going to come up in such perfect condition?
Wow...can you even imagine finding a shell that big!!!
I can only imagine trying to display that shell in my house. It would take up most of my living room!
Holy Moly Rhonda
I've always wanted to say Holy Moly in a blog post but thought people might be offended.. hahaha... but this deserves a Holy Moly if anything does!!!
Brava Julia... Brava Rhonda.. ciao xxx Julie
Loved loved loved this...I absorb facts like this like a sea sponge LOL
WOW, can you imagine finding something like that? (those)
PS loved your fb post about your shell finds, they were simply marvelous! ::)
Wow! Imagine the creature that crawled out of that one!
Wow! That is the big momma of all shells there! OMG! If you came across that one on the beach I bet it was because you literally ran into it! LOL! Thanks for sharing this, I had no idea there was a shell that large anywhere. Leave it to Texas to have one! LOL! Love this!
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