Museum and Sea Center open daily, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Invertebrates

See our handy guide to critters found in local homes and our Central Coast Butterfly FAQ. Browse the insects and other terrestrial arthropods we’ve identified. Check out local marine invertebrates, particularly bivalve mollusks and intertidal organisms.

Shell

We found this shell at Hendry's Beach this week. Can you identify it?

Jay, Santa Barbara - January 11, 2020

Curator Response

Thanks for sharing this shell, Jay! It looks a little beach-worn, but this appears to be a specimen of Dallocardia quadragenaria (formerly Trachycardium quadragenarium), commonly known as the Spiny Pricklycockle. If it were not worn down, there would be little spines along the ridges.

Stay curious,

Invertebrate Zoology Collection Manager Vanessa Delnavaz, M.A.