This morning, I stepped onto the dock and was immediately greeted by nature’s symphony. A massive heron squawked “Grrrakk!” as a young lemon shark gracefully swam by. Small fish darted playfully through the water, splashing against the lowest steps. On the beach, a little heron hunted for worms, while a pelican observed from above. Not far away, an osprey announced its presence with a piercing cry, perched high in the trees.
Long Caye never fails to amaze with its vibrant wildlife. Today brought an extra surprise—crown conch gathering in the shallows! Spotting these unique creatures isn’t as common, making this encounter even more special.
The crown conch (Melongena corona) is a fascinating marine mollusk and a lesser-known relative of the Queen conch. Unlike their iconic cousins with large, pink-lined shells, crown conch have more subtle brown or gray shells, typically under 12 cm in length. Their camouflage helps them blend seamlessly with the seafloor, but if you look closely, you’ll notice the distinctive crown-like projections along their spiral shells.
Both the crown conch and Queen conch are carnivorous mollusks, using their strong, muscular foot to move across the seabed. Seeing the crown conch this morning was a delightful reminder of Long Caye’s incredible biodiversity.
- Date: December 22, 2024
- Time: 6:33 AM local
- Conditions: 76F air, 77F water, partly cloudy with 18 mph NW winds