A whelk is a type of marine snail that belongs to the family Buccinidae. These creatures have spiral-shaped shells and are commonly found in oceans around the world. Whelks are known for their strong, muscular foot, which they use to move along the sea floor and to dig into the sand. They are often harvested for food and are considered a delicacy in many cultures. Whelks primarily feed on other marine animals, such as clams and oysters. They use their specialized radula, a tongue-like organ, to scrape and consume their prey. In addition to being enjoyed in dishes like seafood chowder, whelks play an important role in the marine ecosystem by helping to control the population of other shellfish.