How old would it be? - Printable Version +- Forums SEASHELL-COLLECTOR (http://forum.seashell-collector.com) +-- Forum: Seashell Collector's Forum (http://forum.seashell-collector.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3) +--- Forum: Shells identification Help (http://forum.seashell-collector.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5) +--- Thread: How old would it be? (/showthread.php?tid=782)

How old would it be? - jacquie - 05-29-2009 I've got a 230mm shell that has been identified as an emperor's helmet shell from the Caribbean. How old would the shell be?   Thank you! <img src="images/smiley/bye.gif" alt="" border="0" /> How old would it be? - paul monfils - 06-04-2009 Unfortunately there is little information available on the growth rates of molluscs, except perhaps for a few commercially important species like scallops and pearl oysters.  You may be thinking that such a large shell must be very old.  That is most likely not true.  I would expect that a species like this could reach this size in a few years.  The actual rate of growth depends on availability of food, average water temperature, and other environmental factors.