Seashells

Aren't they beautiful? I have loved them since I was a child. When on vacation by the ocean, I'd pick out my favorite ones. There, on the sand right next to the water's edge, were the best seashells. Do you have memories of collecting seashells?

Seashells are fascinating. So many different shapes and colors and textures. How do they come to be? Who uses them? Why are they on the beach? 

We wouldn't have seashells if it weren't for mollusks, sea urchins, crustaceans, turtles, tortoises and armadillos. Did you know that there are over 50,000 varieties of mollusk shells? I didn't. Wow!

Seashells are the exoskeletons of mollusks. Meaning that they are on the outside of the mullosks and protect them from the dangers of the sea. The mullosk develops mantle tissue which secretes protein and minerals to form the shell. The salt and chemicals of the sea help the mantle in growing. Calcium carbonate  is released and that forms the shell around their body. Due to the fact that it continues to absorb sea and chemicals, it continues to grow. 

When the mollusk dies, you will find the shell on the beach. The tide brings the empty shells up onto the sand. This is why we find them on the beach. 

In researching seashells, I came to understand the many uses of seashells after they are washed up onto the beach. Did you know that birds use shells to build their nests? Did you know that they provide protection for algae?

So, seashells will forever fascinate me. They are beautiful!

The above photo is available for purchase.

Thanks for reading,

Judy

References: 

Gillespie, C. (2018). "How are seashells formed?" Sciencing, https://sciencing.com/how-seashells-formed-4923554.html. 

Horne, F.  (2006). "How are seashells created? Or any other shell, such as a snail's or turtle's?"  Scientific American.

McCarthy, E. (2015). "8 fascinating facts about seashells".  Mental Floss.

"Shells Facts: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect. (2008).