Ivory Tusk Shell (also known as Tusk Shell or Elephant Tusk Shell)
Phylum Mollusca > Class Scaphopoda > Order Dentaliida > Family Dentaliidae > Genus Graptacme > Species Graptacme eborea · Dentaliidae (Tusk Shell family) · Scaphopod (Tusk Shell / Elephant Tooth Shell). Tubular and slightly curved shape, open at both ends.
Species
Graptacme eborea (formerly Dentalium eboreum)
Shell Type
Scaphopod (Tusk Shell / Elephant Tooth Shell). Tubular and slightly curved shape, open at both ends.
Family
Dentaliidae (Tusk Shell family)
Size
Approximately 1.25 to 1.5 inches (30-38 mm) in length. This is typical to slightly large for Graptacme eborea, which generally ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 inches.
Color & Pattern
Translucent milky white to off-white ivory color, polished smooth exterior with faint longitudinal growth lines toward the broader posterior tip.
Rarity
Uncommon to Rare on beaches. While the species is relatively abundant offshore, intact complete specimens rarely wash ashore unbroken due to their delicate, slender structure.
Habitat
Subtidal benthic marine environment, living buried in fine sand or sandy mud bottoms from shallow waters down to depths of over 100 meters.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic, extending from North Carolina (including Oak Island, NC) south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean down to the West Indies.
Description
A delicate, highly elongated, hollow conical tube open at both ends, gently curved like a miniature elephant tusk or needle. The surface is exceptionally smooth and glossy with fine translucent white porcelain-like texture.
Key Features
Slightly curved tubular structure open at both ends; broader anterior aperture and narrow posterior aperture with a small notch (apical slit); glossy ivory texture.
Collector Value
Desirable specialty item for beachcombers and shell collectors ($3-$15 for intact specimens) due to their fragile nature and rarity as unbroken beach finds.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition. Entire elongated tube is intact without major breaks, though slightly beach-worn with natural slight chalkiness from exposure.
Interesting Facts
Scaphopods live completely buried vertically in sand with the narrow tip sticking out into open water to draw oxygenated water. Native Americans and indigenous peoples historically used tusk shells as currency, beadwork, and jewelry.
Ecological Role
Benthic infaunal predator feeding on microscopic organisms such as foraminifera using tiny tentacle-like structures called captacula; serves as prey for bottom-dwelling fish and crabs.
Similar Species
Dentalium laqueatum (Ribbed Tusk Shell) which features distinct longitudinal ribs rather than a smooth glossy finish; Creseis acicula (Sea Butterfly shell) which is smaller, straight, and non-curved.
Beach Finding Tips
Look along high-tide wrack lines or soft fine shell hash after strong offshore winter storms or high spring tides, particularly in fine sandy beaches around North Carolina like Oak Island.
Notes
Oak Island NC