Common Northern Whelk
NameCommon Northern Whelk
Scientific NameBuccinum undatum
Common NameCommon Northern Whelk, Waved Whelk
FamilyBuccinidae
GenusBuccinum
Speciesundatum
Geographic DistributionNorth Atlantic Ocean, including the coasts of North America (from Labrador to New Jersey) and Europe (from the Arctic to the Bay of Biscay).
Habitatintertidal
Shell Shapeconical
Average Size (mm)Typically 50-100 mm in length, but can reach up to 150 mm.
Identifying FeaturesCharacterized by its robust, ovoid-conical shell with a prominent spire and a short, open siphonal canal. The surface often displays strong spiral ridges and axial ribs, giving it a 'waved' appearance. The aperture is large and oval. The columella is smooth. It is important to note that the accompanying image does not show a Common Northern Whelk, but rather very small, segmented or oval specimens, likely chitons, with scale bars indicating sizes of 1-5 mm, which is vastly different from the typical size and morphology of B. undatum.
Raritycommon
Author CitationLinnaeus, 1758
Description
The Common Northern Whelk (Buccinum undatum) is a large, robust marine gastropod found in cold waters of the North Atlantic. Its shell is typically ovoid-conical with a prominent spire and a short, open siphonal canal. The surface often displays strong spiral ridges and axial ribs, giving it a 'waved' appearance. It is a carnivorous scavenger. Note: The provided image does not depict a Common Northern Whelk; the specimens shown are very small (1-5 mm) and appear to be polyplacophorans (chitons) or similar small invertebrates, not a large spiraled gastropod.
