Trachycardium muricatum
The shell is a cheerful yellow, sometimes with pale brownish markings. The inside of the shell can be a pale yellow as well. The nearly round-shaped shell measures up to 1¼ to 2½ inches.
These bivalves have a strong narrow foot that can be used to push off and “jump” by bending and then quickly straightening. It is also used to bury itself just below the sea floor.
They feed on plankton by drawing in seawater through their short siphons. They exhibit gonochorism (the sex varies according to surrounding conditions). Cockles’ predators are shore birds, fish, sea stars and humans.
Live shells should never be taken from any Florida State Park.