Volcanic snails.
They are found in hot volcanic springs in the ocean.
Their shells have three layers.
The outer layer contains iron sulfides.
The middle layer is like the shell of normal snails.
The innermost layer is made up of aragonite.
Its scientific name is Chrysomallon squamiferum.
It is also called volcanic snails.
Iron shells are formed in them to survive in extreme heat!
They were first discovered in 2001.
So far these have only been seen in Indian ocean
Because volcanic springs can be as hot as 400 degrees Celsius, these snails have developed a shell to protect their soft insides by absorbing iron sulfide from the environment. Also, digestion in these organisms occurs from bacteria that process in an entirely different gland, rather than the digestive organs of other organisms.
They sound like Monster but they are endangered.
The biggest threat to the survival of this snail is deep-sea mining.
Polymetallic sulphide mineral resources are abundantly formed near volcanic springs – where there are large concentrations of precious metals including copper, silver and gold. So their existence is constantly under threat as our mining disrupts their habitat.
They are the only species known to have iron-sulphide in their armor!
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