If you’ve ever walked the shores of the Bahamas and picked up a conch shell, you’ve held more than just a beautiful ocean souvenir—you’ve held a spiral-shaped story of island life, local tradition, and some fascinating marine biology.

On a recent trip, I got an impromptu anatomy lesson from a Bahamian local and the crew at @islandkey_ on how to tell the difference between male and female conch snails. Here's everything I learned about this iconic mollusk.

🐚 What’s Inside a Conch?

The queen conch is a large sea snail with a flared, pink-lipped shell. Inside lives a soft-bodied mollusk with a muscular foot used to move, dig, and protect itself. One of the most well-known parts of the conch is the pistol—a long, curled muscle that many Bahamians enjoy as a delicacy. Contrary to the popular belief that it’s a reproductive organ, the pistol is actually part of the conch’s digestive tract—specifically, a portion of the esophagus.

🧬 Male vs. Female: How to Tell the Difference

Both males and females have pistols, so that alone won’t tell you their sex. But if you're curious about conch anatomy, here’s how you can tell them apart:

Males have a verge, which is a small, finger-like reproductive organ. It protrudes slightly and is typically visible near the head of the snail.
Females lack a verge but have a slit-like groove, called an egg groove, used for laying egg masses in the sand.

This kind of knowledge is usually passed down through generations of conch fishermen, and I’m always grateful when locals share their wisdom. There's something sacred about learning from those who live in rhythm with the ocean.

🔍 Why It Matters

Understanding conch anatomy is more than just curiosity—it’s conservation. Queen conchs are now considered vulnerable due to overharvesting, particularly before they reach maturity. Did you know a conch must have a fully developed flared lip before it’s legally harvestable in the Bahamas? That flared lip is a sign the conch has reached reproductive age.

By knowing what to look for—and learning about their biology—we can help ensure the survival of this species for future generations.

💙 Always Be a Student of the Sea

As a waterwoman, every encounter in the ocean is a lesson. Whether it’s spotting a live conch with its eyes peeking out from the seagrass or learning how locals distinguish between male and female snails, I carry these insights with me and share them in hopes that others will connect more deeply with the ocean too.