What is Knobbed whelk?
{{Orphan|date=May 2009}} {{Taxobox | name = Knobbed whelk | image = Busycon carica.jpg | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Mollusca]] | classis = [[Gastropoda]] | ordo = [[Sorbeoconcha]] | familia = [[Melongenidae]] | genus = ''[[Busycon]]'' | binomial = ''Busycon carica'' }} The '''knobbed whelk''' (''Busycon carica'') is a [[gastropod]] [[mollusc]] which is protected by a thick, hard [[Animal shell|shell]]. It is large [[predatory]] sea snail, or whelk. This mollusc is found in shallow waters of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] off the east coast of [[North America]] from [[Massachusetts]] to northern [[Florida]]. This whelk has a spiral shell with knobs (or spines) along its shoulder. The shell is up to 9.5 inches (24 cm) long. The shell is light gray to tan, and often has brown and white streaks. On the shallow-water [[mud]] flats whelks prey on [[oyster]]s, [[clam]]s, and other marine [[bivalves]]. They wedge the bivalve open using the edge of their shell. Then they squeeze in their [[radula]]. This is a rough tongue-like organ that has thousands of tiny denticles (tooth-like protrusions). {{-}} {{biology-stub}} [[category:Gastropods]]