
Jingle Shells || Anomia ephippium
Share
- Scientific name: Anomia ephippium
- Size: 0.5 - 5 cm
- Color: Soft pink, yellow, white, black, or reddish brown
- Family: Anomiidae
- Fun fact: They are also called "Mermaid's toenails" due to their appearance
Jingle Shells are one of the most shiny and pearly shells you can find on the beaches of Europe. They are called "Jingle Shells" because they produce a jingling sound when you shake them together. Jingle Shells are marine bivalve mollusks, scientifically known as Anomia ephippium.

Appearance
Jingle Shells are thin, translucent, and often shiny, giving them a pearly look. They can appear in various shimmering colors, including soft pink, bright yellow, gold, white, fuchsia, and reddish brown.
The shape of a Jingle Shell is irregular and roughly round, typically with a flat lower valve and a convex upper valve. These shells can vary in size but generally measure up to around 5 cm across.
Besides Jingle Shells and saddle oysters, they are also sometimes called "Mermaid's toenails" due to their appearance.


Habitat
You can find Jingle Shells along the Atlantic coasts of Europe, from the British Isles to the Mediterranean Sea and of course along the coastal regions of Portugal.
When the alive, Jingle Shells are found in the shallow coastal waters in the low intertidal and sublittoral zones in de depths from 25-200 meters.
Jingle Shells are mostly attached to hard substrates, such as rocks and man-made structures like piers or boat. Sometimes Jingle Shells are even attached to other shells or mollusks.
They have the ability to attach themselves to these surfaces by using their strong muscle that goes right through a hole in the shell

Ecological Significance
Like many other mollusks Jingle Shells are filter feeders, they help clean the water by removing plankton and organic particles. This process helps maintain water clarity and contributes to the health of the marine ecosystem.
Jingle Shells reproduce by releasing eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs externally. The larvae are planktonic before settling and metamorphosing into the adult form.
Along the Portuguese beaches you often find Jingle Shells and their pearly appearance makes them a popular find for both locals and tourists.
Have you ever found one?
If you're interested in jewelry or artwork with Jingle Shells, please click here: Jingle Shells
