This handsome Dog Whelk is one of thousands which decorate the outcrops along with tens of thousands of their eggs at this time of year. Par Sands has an entire ecosystem from a third of the way down the beach out into the sea and the inhabitants of this rocky habitat is left high and dry a couple of times a day because the tide goes out so far. Some, like crabs, shrimp and starfish, hide in deep pools, and others, like Dog Whelks, Limpets and Barnacles cling to the rock face. The shells of Whelks can differ enormously. Most on the beach here are dark coloured, even black but both the colour and texture can vary greatly, as can their size. Dog Whelks are predators. Top left in this image is a Barnacle minus its shutter doors. That is because it has been eaten by the Dog Whelk, and that is why the eggs are laid next to a food store! Sort of Meals on Wheels as far as the Dog Whelk is concerned. Other creatures this animals eats are Mussels, cockles, other bivalves and gastropods. The way these neogastropods eat is similar in fashion to flies and spiders at least in result. Their mouths and radula are on an extensible proboscis and is generally the same in length as the shell in each individual. It first bores a hole in the shell of its prey by a combination of mechanical rasping by the radula in the proboscis and chemical attack by secretions of the accessory boring organ situated in the sole of the foot. Once penetrated, the prey is narcotized by secretions of the accessory salivary glands, which also secrete a cement like substance that helps to keep the proboscis attached to the prey. Then the attacker secretes digestive enzymes into the body of the prey and ingests the resultant tissue 'soup'! So - now you can all go enjoy your breakfast. ^=^ I took this, along with a few others, with my new camera. I thought I'd make this a seaside week - or at least a water week. So far at least, I am well pleased with how most of the images are turning out. ^=^ Thank you for the faves, the comments and for taking the time to look. ^=^