How to Choose a Field Guide for Seashells

You'll come across many beautiful shells during a walk along the beach, especially after a storm. Use a good field guide to identify your "finds."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for a guide that's easy to read out in the field. The "Eyewitness Handbook: Shells" is a user-friendly manual with quick-to-find references to individual shells.

2. Choose a guide with clear photos or drawings such as the "National Audubon Society Field Guide for North American Seashells."

3. Study the information and decide whether it meets your expectations. Would a younger person understand?

4. Check out the guide's size and durability. A small field guide such as the 4-inch by 6-inch Golden Guide "Seashells of the World: A Guide to the Better-Known Species" will fit in a pocket or backpack.

5. Decide if you want a field guide for a certain area, state or region. Some publishers publish guides for specific areas such as the "Art of Shelling: A Complete Guide to Finding Shells and Other Beach Collectibles at Shelling Locations from Maine to Florida."

6. Match the shell collector's level of experience. The "Simon and Schuster's Guide to Shells" has excellent photos with clear descriptions of each shell for the beginner collector.

7. Try the Peterson Field Guide, "A Field Guide to Shells: Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and the West Indies" for the more advanced collector.

Tips & Warnings

• Collect only "dead" shells - those without living creatures using them as homes. Clean shells with a 50-50 solution of bleach and water before storing them.