Conchs

Conchs are a type of sea snail, and are also a popular seafood in some areas.

The term 'conch' (pronounced "konk") is used to describe over 60 species of sea snails which have a medium- to large-sized shell. In many species, the shell is elaborate and colorful. Probably the most well-known species is the queen conch, which is the image that might come to mind of a sea shell. This shell is often sold as a souvenir, and it's said you can hear the sea if you put a conch shell to your ear.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Gastropoda

True conchs are gastropods in the Family Strombidae, which includes about 60 species (Source: Worldwide Conchology). Shells of these animals are strong and have a wide 'lip'.

The general term 'conch' is also applied to other taxonomic families, such as the Melongenidae, which include the melon and crown conchs.

Conchs live in tropical waters, including the Caribbean, West Indies and Mediterranean. They live in relatively shallow waters, including reef and seagrass habitats.

Conchs are edible, and in many cases, have been over-harvested for meat and also for souvenir shells. Queen conchs are a species threatened by overharvesting, and fishing for conchs is no longer allowed in Florida waters (see NOAA queen conch site for more information on conch fishing).