One of my most exciting seashell finds in French Polynesia was the Lambis lambis, commonly known as the spider conch. This large sea snail, part of the Strombidae family, can be found near shore along sandy sea floors throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Although the spider conch is large, it often goes unnoticed because its shell is very well camouflaged on the upper side. I spotted it in shallow waters, less than 5 meters deep, which made the discovery even more thrilling.

The long spines on its shell are unique to adults and give the spider conch its common name. Interestingly, the shells of young snails resemble large volutes, and male and female snails look very different. Males usually have smaller shells with shorter spines on the outer lip, while females lay bright orange egg strings.

In some regions, the spider conch is collected for food, and its shells are used in shellcraft. You can often find them in markets in the northern Philippines and Fiji Islands. However, depending on where you find them, they might be listed as threatened or vulnerable. It's important to admire these beautiful creatures, take a photo as a souvenir, and then carefully put them back in the water to help preserve their population.

Finding a spider conch is always a highlight of my shell-collecting adventures, and it’s a reminder of the incredible diversity and beauty of marine life.