The Answer for the April 27 Mystery is……

 If you guessed Slipper Shell, Lady Slipper, Boat Shell, Atlantic Slipper Limpet or Crepidula fornicate…you are correct!

Did you know:

• Slipper snails are often found it stacks or piles—the oldest and largest at the bottom of the pile are female, the younger small animals at the top are male.   If the females in the stack die, the largest of the males will become a female.
• They can be found as far north as Nova Scotia to as far south as the Gulf of Mexico
• Common slipper shells are commonly found on the shoreline and in estuaries.
• Their mucus covered gills trap phytoplankton in the water. The snail uses its radula (like a toothed tongue) to transfer the food to its mouth. Filter feeder similar to a mussel or clam.

Not that I would eat this or even recommend eating them, they are edible…I found this recipe online, seems like a lot of work getting those snails out of the shells for not much of a reward!  No Thank You!

SWEET MEATS IN RED SAUCE  by Dave Masch

3 cups tomato sauce, preferably homemade

1 cup slipper shell meats, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

3 tablespoons Italian parsley, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

red pepper flakes to taste

1 pound linguine, cooked

Heat up tomato sauce in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add all ingredients but the linguine. Simmer for three minutes and serve over the linguine.