The Self Defense Methods of Crustaceans

by Chelsea Zheng, age 9

Did you know that lobsters have shells, however they are unable to hide in them? A lobster's shell acts like a suit of armor protecting the creature. The outside shells of lobsters are skeletons that join in areas that allow for movement with ease. Once the creature outgrows its shell, it begins to shed and grow a larger one.

Many other sea creatures, such as crustaceans, scallops, nautilus, and dog whelk have protective shells. The crustaceans are known as arthropods, animals that have an exoskeleton.

Scallops use their shells as protection to swim away from starfish. They are able to do so by open and closing their two halves. When the shell closes, water squirts out helping them swim out of danger just on time.

Nautilus are a squid-like animals, their shells are filled with gas that allow for water flotation. They live in the outer chamber of the coiled shell and as they grow, newer buoyancy chambers are added.

Lastly, the dog whelk is a flesh eating sea snail that eats meat, it feeds off other shelled animals like muscles and limpets. The whelk pushes a hollow tube between the gaps in the animal's shell and scrapes out the creature's flesh with its sharp tongue.

These hard shell sea creatures are very interesting, they all use their shells in unique ways. Although each shell is different in appearance and functionality, they all have one thing in common: they are necessary for survival and protection.

[Source: Amazing Animal Facts ]