What IS this enormous shell? [url]http://www.badongo.com/pic/7664391

[paul monfils]

This is Syrinx aruanus, the Australian Trumpet, from northern Australia, the largest gastropod (snail type) shell in the world.  It probably is quite old, that is to say, collected a long time ago.  When fresh it has a light orange color, but they fade over time, especially if exposed to sunlight.  As far as the age of the shell when collected, that is, how long the animal lived, there is really no way of telling by looking at the shell, but probably not that long.  A snail, just like a large fish, usually only takes a few years to attain full size.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2009-10-31 18:16:23 --</span>