While snorkeling in the Keys, I once found a large horse conch (approx 20
inches) latched onto a full grown queen conch.  I am not sure if it was
trying to pull the queen conch out, or force its proboscis in, but crushing
the shell probably wasn't the mechanism.  Shrotly after picking up the two
animals, the horse conch let go and pulled itself into its shell.  The queen
conch, apparently still alive, did the same.  I returned both to the bottom,
separated by a few yards to give the Queen conch a chance at a get away....



- John





>From: "Martin H. Eastburn" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] how a horse conch eats its food
>Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:11:11 -0600
>
>I'm a Scientist, but not in Shells - Physics and Engineering.
>
>But Google is our friend:
>
>http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h80/hrdneglcry/?action=view&current=77777.flv
>
>This is one.  It would appear it can crush the shell and force out the
>animal.
>
>Martin
>
>Avril wrote:
>>I have a person with the following request for information.  I'm sure some
>>of you scientists out there are far better equipped to answer this than I
>>am:
>>
>>"Hello,
>>My name in Monica and I have a question for you.
>>
>>I just finished watching one of The Blue Planet discs and was wondering if
>>you could tell me exactly how a horse conch eats its food.  These are
>>pretty
>>cool snails!
>>Thanks,
>>Monica"
>>
>>Monica's email is;  [log in to unmask]
>>
>>Thanks in advance for all your help again.   I hope that via my work with
>>the public that I am bridging a gap between those interested and those in
>>the know.
>>
>>Avril Bourquin
>>Invermere, BC, Canada, V0A 1K0
>>Email: [log in to unmask]
>>URLS: http://www.manandmollusc.net/
>>http://www.directory.manandmollusc.net/molluscs/
>>
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>>
>>
>
>--
>Martin H. Eastburn
>@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
>TSRA, Life; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.
>NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
>IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member.
>http://lufkinced.com/
>
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