Queen conch

The queen conch (Aliger gigas) is a large sea snail of the Caribbean and the tropical north-western Atlantic. It is one of the biggest molluscs of the region, and its shell can reach about 35 centimetres. The shell is heavy, with knob-like spines and a broad, flared lip that is glossy pink or orange inside.

It lives on seagrass beds and sandy flats, where it grazes on plants and algae. The animal has eyes on long stalks, a long snout and a strong foot. Queen conchs are heavily fished for meat and shells, so international trade is regulated under the CITES agreement.

Shell and body

Juvenile conchs have no flared lip. It develops when the snail reaches reproductive age, and the thicker the lip, the older the conch. The shell is sandy coloured on the outside, which helps it blend in with the sea floor. Many small animals use the conch as a home, including slipper snails, porcelain crabs and a fish called the conchfish.

People and conchs

Humans have caught queen conchs since prehistoric times, and the shells were used as tools by Native Americans and other Caribbean peoples. Today the shells are sold as souvenirs. The queen conch is also eaten by sea turtles, nurse sharks, octopus and other predators, so it is an important food for many reef animals. Shells and meat are both valued, which is why the species is heavily fished.

On the globe

The model shows a queen conch on the seagrass and sand of the Bahamas bank off Cuba. Look for the pink flared lip.