Jewel Boxes and Kitten's Paws

I've been sorting through my shell collection lately and realizing how similar many shells are. So here's another post with shell comparisons.

Here are my Jewel Boxes:

First is the Florida Spiny Jewel Box. These mollusks attach themselves to shells, corals and pebbles when young, but eventually become free and just lie on the sea floor. I've found these shells in North Carolina and both coasts of Florida.

Next is the Corrugate Jewel Box- it looks kinda like a deformed Kitten's Paw. I've found all my Corrugate Jewel Boxes on Sanibel.

And here is the Kitten's Paw! These little shells are scallops and they are commonly found in Florida beaches due to their toughness. However. Their left valves are most commonly found because the right valve shells remain attached to rocks and rubble.

And here's a comparison between the Corrugate Jewel Box (left) and Kitten's Paw (right). As you can see, both shells are approximately the same size and reddish-orange and white coloring. However, the Kitten's Paw has several well defined ridges that sorta look like fingers while the Corrugate Jewel Box is just a shapeless blob.

Finally, here is the beautiful and delicate Leafy Jewel Box. These shells are generally yellow, but can also be found in orange and lavender colors.

And here is a comparison of al four shells (from left to right): Leafy Jewel Box, Corrugate Jewel Box, Kitten's Paw and Florida Spiny Jewel Box. The Florida Spiny Jewel Box is the biggest and can be told apart by its spikes. The other ones are about the same size, but vary either in color or shape.

I hope that was helpful and that you'll dive into your shell collection right now to sort your Jewel Boxes!

Have fun,

Lava of Ocean Dawn :)