Collect Shells

Mollusks, recognized by most people by their shells, create some of the most diverse and beautiful objects on Earth. Collecting shells (also known as Conchology) is an interesting way to increase your knowledge of mollusks and marine biology and discover a new hobby to engage in at the beach.

Steps

 * 1)  Decide whether you want to collect for fun, or as a serious hobby. Do you want to collect dead or live shells? Collecting live shells can require a permit and equipment (knives for prying, mesh for dredging), but yields better specimens. However, some recommend collecting dead shells, as this can be more rewarding (in happiness and enjoyment, at least) and is also more environment-friendly.
 * 2)  Learn about your area. What types of shells will you find nearby? Moon snails, scallops, Surf Clams, and Altantic Slippers are found in the cold waters of the Atlantic; more colorful varieties such as conchs, cowries, and cones are found in the tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Mollusks and their shells can also be found in rivers and lakes.
 * 3)  [[Image:Shell 5143.jpg|thumb|A clam]]Start searching. If you are collecting dead shells, use your toes to feel around in the mud. If you are collecting live shells, make sure you research the habitats and behavior of the specimens you seek. This is essential. For example, if you want to find Atlantic Bay Scallops, look for a habitat with eelgrass. Some snails are nocturnal. Nassa mud snails and other carnivores can be baited by placing dead fish on a mud flat. Microscopic shells can be collected by dredging. (Attach a wire cage lined with mesh to a boat; collect the mud and sift it under a microscope in your free time.) Use a knife to dislodge chitons and slipper shells.  If you keep notes on the circumstances of each find (where, when, and how you found the specimen), that will help you identify the specimen and may increase the value of the specimen to other collectors.
 * 4)  Preserve the shells.
 * 5) *This is usually done by boiling. The soft parts will come loose. The hinged shells of bivalves will open (make sure you align both shells again after you remove the snail since the hinges will harden and become brittle, causing the valves to stay closed forever).
 * 6) *An alternative to boiling is flushing the shell with pressured water.
 * 7) *You can also allow the snail to decompose by burying the shell in dirt. Make sure the opening is facing down, or else the shell will discolor. Use this method to preserve glossy shells.
 * 8)  Identify the shells using a field guide. Find a shallow box, and create dividers to separate the orders/families/geni/species. Try using a plastic jewelry box (you know, the kind that kids use to store their plastic beads) for medium-to-small shells. If you're cheap or short on cash, you can make origami boxes for the smallest shells of your collection. If your collection is large enough, group the shells into their respective families (do research!). If you are a serious collector, purchase or make drawers to accommodate your collection. Write on a separate card info about the specimen: scientific name, common name, date/location of collection, collector's name.

Tips

 * Chitons have 8 sections of shell, and will curl up in a permanent defensive ball. Thus, allow the live animal to crawl into a dish of water. Immobilize it by pinning it to the dish with your finger. Drain the water and replace it with alcohol. Keep it in this position for a few minutes. Place the specimen in a vial of alcohol. If the chiton is curled, disarticulate the joints by boiling. Glue the shells together. If you wish to preserve the entire animal, place it in a vial of alcohol solution.
 * Make sure you have a permit if you want to collect live specimens. Some areas, like Florida, prohibit live collecting.
 * Sanibel Island, Florida, is one of the best beachcombing places. Key West and Florida's Atlantic coast yield close to nothing.
 * Sandy beaches are the worst possible places to look for shells.
 * Collect in the early morning to avoid skin damage. Use sunscreen and hat when appropriate.
 * Contact other conchologists. You may be able to arrange trades and share information.
 * If you are serious, you can also buy shells from specialty stores (very common in places like Florida) or the internet.
 * Even when you are collecting dead shells, be considerate of other collectors; don't collect too many specimens in one go.
 * Never overharvest. Keep in mind a scientific or ecologic view when collecting, never a capitalistic view.
 * Collecting after a storm or after high tide will yield great finds.

Warnings

 * Cones use a toxoglossan radula, a harpoon-like modification of their radula that contains venom, to paralyze their prey. Be cautious.
 * Beware of sharks in murky water at dawn and dusk.
 * Don't collect live shells where it is illegal. Do not collect live, endangered mollusks by any means!
 * While some animals that live in shells are safe to eat, make sure you know what you are handling before you push the shells in your mouth.

Things You'll Need

 * Research/knowledge
 * Old clothes
 * Bucket/fine mesh bag/plastic bag
 * Shovel, knife, rake, dredge, etc.
 * Field guide to shells
 * Box

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Make Your Own Bug Collection
 * How to Dig for Fossils
 * How to Go Pebble Hunting
 * How to Have a Hobby
 * How to Set up a Marine Reef Aquarium

Sources and Citations

 * http://www.conchologistsofamerica.org/collecting/
 * http://www.manandmollusc.net/links_collecting.html