Species profile
Kellet's Whelk
Kelletia kelletii
Identify Kellet's Whelk (Kelletia kelletii) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Kellet's Whelk (Kelletia kelletii) is a marine snail with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 2,549 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- One of California's largest native snails, reaching up to 7 inches (18 cm) in shell length.
- Both a predator and scavenger, using its muscular foot to pry open mussels and other bivalves.
- Native range runs from Monterey Bay south into Baja California on rocky subtidal reefs.
- Females attach clusters of pale egg capsules to rocks, each containing dozens of developing embryos.
- Legally harvested recreationally in California and valued for its firm, chewy meat.
Where Kellet's Whelk are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Kellet's Whelk
Background
Kelletia kelletii, common name Kellet's whelk, is a species of large sea snail, a whelk, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Buccinidae, the true whelks.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Kellet's Whelk article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other marine snails (whelk/conch) on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Kellet's Whelk?
Kellet's Whelk (Kelletia kelletii) is a marine snail with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Kellet's Whelk?
Kellet's Whelk is Kelletia kelletii.
Is Kellet's Whelk regulated for fishing?
Yes — Kellet's Whelk has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Kellet's Whelk?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Kellet's Whelk along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.