Family Cassidae
Semicassis granulata
(Born, 1778)
Scotch Bonnet
Shell size to 90 mm; shell ovate, with five whorls. Shell sculpture of fine spiral grooves. Anterior canal bent dorsally. Parietal area with numerous, small tubercles. Outer lip thickened, with internal denticles. Color white to light tan, with rectagular brown spots.
How rare is a Scotch bonnet shell?
WHAT MAKES IT RARE: A much-prized local species that is relatively common offshore, depper in the Gulf, but difficult (but not impossible) to find on the beach.
North Carolina’s State Shell