Common Tusk Shell, also known as Tooth Shell
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Scaphopoda, Order: Dentaliida, Family: Dentaliidae, Genus: Dentalium, Species: Dentalium entalis · Dentaliidae (Tusk shell family) · Scaphopod (tusk shell), whole shell, tubular and slightly curved shape
Species
Dentalium entalis
Shell Type
Scaphopod (tusk shell), whole shell, tubular and slightly curved shape
Family
Dentaliidae (Tusk shell family)
Size
Approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in length, which is average for this species. Adults typically range from 1 to 2 inches.
Color & Pattern
Off-white to pale cream with subtle yellowish tinges near the narrow posterior end. The surface is smooth with faint growth rings and appears slightly weathered.
Rarity
Common, frequently found by dedicated beachcombers searching fine shell drift lines.
Habitat
Found burrowing in sandy or muddy substrates in shallow to moderately deep sub-tidal marine environments, typically ranging from low water mark down to several hundred feet.
Geographic Range
Widespread in temperate and boreal waters of the North Atlantic, including the coasts of Europe and North America.
Description
An elegant, tapering tubular shell resembling a miniature elephant tusk. It is open at both ends, allowing the living mollusk to extend its head and foot for burrowing and feeding.
Key Features
Elongated, tapering tubular shape open at both ends, slight curvature, and smooth, glossy porcelain-like texture without prominent longitudinal ribs.
Collector Value
Low to moderate commercial value. While not a high-value collector piece, they are prized for novelty and represent a unique class of mollusks essential for a comprehensive taxonomic collection.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition. The shell is intact with minor surface wear and discoloration, missing its original pristine gloss due to wave action, making it a nice educational representative piece.
Interesting Facts
Scaphopods lack gills, hearts, and eyes. They breathe by circulating water through the mantle cavity using cilia and feed on microscopic organisms in the sediment using sticky, thread-like tentacles called captacula.
Ecological Role
Acts as a bioturbator by churning up sediment as it burrows, serving as a food source for bottom-feeding fish and crabs, and contributing to benthic nutrient cycling.
Similar Species
Dentalium vulgare or Graptacme species, which can be distinguished by more pronounced longitudinal ribbing or slight variations in taper and curvature.
Beach Finding Tips
Look in high-tide shell drift lines containing fine sand and tiny shells. Sifting through fine shell grit on protected beaches after storms yields the best results.