Razor Shells

Razor Shells Solenidae

These shells are easily distinguished by their long elongated shells. They live at the lower shore in sand, lying buried with only a siphon protruding from their burrow. If a predator manages to grip the protruding siphon it will shed at a predetermined weakened spot, the siphon will regenerate.

Razor shells can burrow faster than a man can dig. However even the siphon is rarely seen as razor shells are vibration and light sensitive, this with their fast movement, will rapidly retreat into their burrow before you can get close. Normally the only sign of their location is a small spout of water as the razor shell burrows; or a or a figure of eight in the sand formed by a razor shell that had laid on the surface and up righted itself before burrowing.

Three species can be found on Cornish beaches, the Common Razor Solen marginatus, Ensis arcuatus and the Pod Razor Ensis siliqua. The species can be told apart by their shape. The common razor shell is curved, the pod razor shell is straight, while that of Ensis siliqua is curved on one edge but almost straight on the other.

Pod Razor Ensis siliqua

Ensis arcuatus