Description: A large whelk that reaches up to 10 cm in height with a large pointed shell with 7-8 whorls and coarse ribbing. The shell is usually a light yellow to light brown but may have some irregular darker patches. The body of the animal is light coloured with dark spots and splotches. The aperture of the shell is large and broadly oval in shape, and there is a short but wide siphonal canal. There is a conspicuous horn-coloured operculum. The large siphon is visible if the animal is active. Egg cases often wash up on shores when empty or dislodged.

Habitat: Muddy sand or gravel and rock. Usually subtidal (down to 1200 m) but may be occasionally found in the intertidal. Empty egg cases are commonly washed up.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with other species when fully grown, except potentially Neptunea antiqua which does not have a coarsely ribbed shell. May potentially be confused with other whelks and small gastropods when juvenile.

Key Identification Features:

• Large pointed shell with 7-8 whorls.
• Coarse ribbing on shell surface.
• Large siphon visible when animal is active.

Distribution Map from NBN: Buccinum undatum at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Buccinum undatum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Buccinum undatum

WoRMS: Buccinum undatum at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Buccinum undatum Linnaeus, 1758. AphiaID: 138878.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Caenogastropoda; Neogastropoda; Buccinoidea; Buccinidae; Buccininae; Buccinum