One end of the strand is attached to rocks, old shells or algae. Expect 50 to 175 capsules on a strand and 20 to 100 eggs in a capsule. The last few capsules on the unattached end are usually void of eggs. Most eggs will never hatch, but will serve as food for the single individual that does. Whelks emerge as tiny images of the adults.
Whelks make tasty meals themselves.
Crabs will use pincers to crush and break open the heavy shell while sea gulls simply drop it onto a hard surface. Humans consume the whelk animal, too. Today in seaside resort towns of England, whelks are boiled and sold by street vendors as a delicacy. It would be pricey delicacy here. A Florida book on sea shells notes a value of ten dollars for an unprepared live Lightning Whelk.