When we think of animals with shells, we often picture their gorgeous shells as mini condos they carry around like backpacks. Although this imagery is fun to think about, shells often provide many more amazing benefits to the ocean animals that make them. Shells’ grander purposes typically include providing protection from predators, offering shelter within their habitats and protecting inner organs.
Each animal’s shell is unique both in the way it is used and the way it looks. Many mollusks for example, use hard shells to protect their much more fragile and softer exteriors while they tumble along the sea floor. There are many different kinds of mollusks, however, including mussels, oysters and clams. Learn more about what makes them unique!
Besides their important uses, shells are beautiful and have inspired people of many cultures for centuries. Today we’re going to be highlighting some of our ocean’s gorgeous shells and the fascinating creatures that make them.
Five Gorgeous Shells (and the Animals That Make Them) - Ocean Conservancy
Each animal’s shell is unique both in the way it is used and the way it looks. Many mollusks for example, use hard shells to protect their much more fragile and softer exteriors while they tumble along the sea floor. There are many different kinds of mollusks, however, including mussels, oysters and clams. Learn more about what makes them unique!
Besides their important uses, shells are beautiful and have inspired people of many cultures for centuries. Today we’re going to be highlighting some of our ocean’s gorgeous shells and the fascinating creatures that make them.
Five Gorgeous Shells (and the Animals That Make Them) - Ocean Conservancy