How are seashells made?

Seashells are made by living mollusks like snails, clams, and oysters. These creatures pull minerals from the ocean to build their shells layer by layer for protection and survival. That's why it's so important to never take live shells. If the animal is still inside, it needs its shell to live.

So what is "ethical shelling"?

Plain and simple, it means taking NO live shells, protecting the creatures which inhabit the seashells, and not over collecting.

If you happen to find an occupied shell, carefully place it back in the water in a safe area. Throwing them may cause harm to the mollusk so please be gentle.

Always check your shells before taking them home. Some tiny creatures like to hide deep inside the shell and you may not notice them for a while. Hermit crabs can be super sneaky!

Lastly, be aware of the shelling activity and regulations in your area. In some countries, it's actually illegal to remove shells from the beach. In Florida, seashells are plentiful, so shelling is a very popular hobby. I am very intentional with what I collect, but sometimes I do bring home more than what I need and those get placed in a "go-back" collection that is released back into the ocean.

Mollusks are fascinating creatures and should be treated as such. Just look at what they are capable of creating! Let's protect them as best as we can.