Shells of many varieties wash up on our beaches due to the tides and waves. But what are these treasures, exactly? Identify them with this guide.

Coquina clams

The color of this small creature’s shell can range from pale pink and purple, to bright yellow and orange. Live clams can be found actively digging into wet sand between waves.

Keyhole Urchin

Commonly known as a sand dollar, the keyhole urchin is easily identified by the distinctive five-holed perforations along its edge. It bears a hard white shell, but can also be tan, brown or dark grey or green.

Moonshells

Sometimes called “Shark Eye,” the pale grey exterior of the moonshell is marked by a bright blue spot near the opening.

Olive Shells

This gorgeous conical variety resembles a long, pointed tube. The olive shell features a long opening with shades of pink—or even dark purple—inside.

Paper Nautilus

Paper-thin and quite rare, the Paper Nautilus is produced by a relative of the octopus. It is actually an eggcase generated by females to protect them from predators.

Scotch Bonnet

This shell’s fragile state makes a complete specimen quite a prize. The scotch bonnet was designated the state shell of North Carolina in 1965. This rarity is best found between Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout.