DK - WOW! The Visual Encyclopedia of Everything

SHELLSThe bodies of some creatures are protected by strong shells. They include all kinds of animals ranging from crabs to armadillos, but the most well known are marine molluscs such as winkles, cockles, and clams. These animals absorb chalky minerals from their food or sea water and turn them into beautiful, sculptured, often vividly coloured “seashells”. These are sometimes lined with iridescent, gleaming mother-of-pearl.

Spines are as sharp as needles, and break off easily if they pierce another animal

1

NAUTILUS

A relative of the octopuses, with big

eyes and up to 90 tentacles, the nautilus can retreat into its pearl-lined shell for safety. The inner chambers of the shell act as flotation tanks.^2

VENUS COMB MUREX

Named for its comb-like appearance,

this sea snail of the tropical Indian

and Pacific oceans has up to 100 sharp spines that protect it from predators

such as shellfish-eating rays.^3

PAPAL MITRE

This is one of about 800 known species of mitre shells, which all have a pointed form similar to the ceremonial hats worn by bishops and popes. The papal mitre may be up to 15 cm (6 in) long.^4

CUBAN LAND SNAIL

Some land snails are brightly coloured too, but their colours are usually similar to those of the places where they live. Snails that have noticeably different colours are soon eaten by birds.

A nautilus can

adjust its buoyancy by pumping fluid in and

out of gas-filled shell chambers

This delicately ribbed

seashell was once

highly valued, which

explains its name

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Cowrie shells are glossy where partly covered by the animal’s body
Distorsio shells are
found mainly in tropical waters
044_045_Shells.indd 44 03/01/19 12:09 PM