Radio Goolarri – In Studio
📅 Aired: 12 December 2025
Sandy Dann welcomes back Taryn Ryan – The Shell Lady for another fascinating shell yarn, this time diving into one of the ocean’s rarest curiosities: sinistral (left-handed) shells.
Broadcast live from the Radio Goolarri studio on 12 December 2025, this conversation explores how most shells grow in a right-handed (dextral) spiral — and why left-handed shells are so rare they sometimes make museum news. Taryn breaks down the science behind shell growth, genetics and survival in a way that’s easy to understand and full of wonder.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
What sinistral (left-handed) shells are and why they’re so rare
How gastropods build their shells over time, like bricks on a wall
Why shell shape affects mating and survival
How rain, tides and fresh water influence shell growth on Broome’s reefs
The difference between marine, freshwater and land gastropods
Why shells are homes, protection and survival tools — not just beach finds
With plenty of curiosity, humour and respect for the natural world, this yarn reminds us just how complex and clever these small creatures are — and why slowing down and observing nature always reveals something new.
🌊 Next time you’re walking the beach or out bush, keep an eye out — you never know what rare story might be right under your feet.
