These shells are adorned with patterns resembling ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs or complex designs.

The creatures inhabiting these shells are filter feeders, typically found in sandy or muddy substrates close to the ocean's shore. Lioconcha hieroglyphica is frequently encountered along the coastal regions of the western Atlantic Ocean, especially on the eastern seaboard of North America, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the coast of New Jersey. They favor shallow waters with sandy or muddy beds, which allows them to burrow and filter-feed on the organic detritus within the sediment. These mollusks are not prone to extensive roaming and usually remain within their chosen environment.