Busyconidae - Whelks

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Busyconidae have shells with a broad body whorl and a long and narrow siphonal canal. They are carnivorous and feed mostly on bivalves. They use their massive foot to cover the bivalve and pry the shells apart. They then wedge their shell between the bivalve shells and extend their feeding apparatus (proboscis) inside the clam. There are 4 species found in Texas, including the lightning whelk, the state shell of Texas.