Queen conch

The Queen conch is a large marine mollusk native to the Caribbean, recognizable by its pinkish meat and distinctive spiral shell. It lives on sandy ocean floors and feeds mainly on algae and other plant matter. Conchs are important both ecologically, helping keep waterways healthy, and economically, as their meat is a popular seafood. Due to overharvesting and habitat loss, Queen conch populations have declined, leading to conservation efforts. They also play a key role in their ecosystems by contributing to sediment turnover and serving as prey for other marine animals.