Busycon sinistrum (Lightning whelk)

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The Busycon whelk boasts a distinctive left-handed or sinistral shell, a trait that sets it apart from its peers. This species of marine predator feeds on smaller bivalves, thriving in the sandy or muddy areas along shallow embayments where it resides. Native Americans revered this species for its importance as a food source, with archaeological evidence revealing that left-handed lightening whelks provided a vital resource, their shells transformed into tools, ornaments, and even vessels for ceremonial drinks.