Did you know that volcano snails are real? (1 Viewer)

[athenaaa]

It is a snail with an iron shell that doesn’t need to eat. It lives in deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean. Its shell has three layers: the outer layer is made of iron sulfides, making it the only known extant creature that incorporates such substances into its skeleton. The middle layer is standard gastropod fair, composed of an organic substance called periostracum. Finally, the innermost layer is made of aragonite, a carbonate mineral that can also be considered a gemstone. Thanks to a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in its digestive system, the volcano snail doesn’t need to eat– the bacteria provide the snail with energy in exchange for being able to live in the snail’s body. They form in volcanically active areas like mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates spread apart. Amazingly, these volcano snails embrace heat like few other species can, withstanding temperatures of up to 400 degrees Celsius!​

 

[Ahsoka]

I’m not that squeamish with bugs and crawly slithery things but if I saw this in daily life I’d probably run

 

[dark_tranquility]

Is it poisonous?

 

[athenaaa]

Is it poisonous?

It is not known to be poisonous to humans

 

[dark_tranquility]

It is not known to be poisonous to humans

Ah I do like the colours
very engaging

 

[pinkmelodies]

I never knew this. I actually have a soft spot for snails and these ones look beautiful

 

[uran]

finally something i already knew about. These snails are so cool and they also look cool

 

[snsd2beg]

So cool. I love the colors

 

[ChiaraStar169]

wowwwwwwwww that's crazy!