Shells are a type of exoskeleton, a hard outer covering that protects the body of some animals. They are found on a variety of animals, both on land and in the water, and serve as protection from predators, temperature extremes, and other environmental factors. Here are 20 animals with shells, along with some interesting facts about each one:
The Shells of Mollusks
Mollusks are a diverse group of animals that includes snails, slugs, mussels, and clams. They have a soft, unsegmented body and a hard, protective shell that encloses their internal organs.
1. Snail
Snails are small, slow-moving animals that have a spiral-shaped shell on their back. The shell is made of calcium carbonate and serves as protection from predators and the environment. Snails are found in a variety of habitats, from forests and gardens to deserts and oceans. They are herbivores and use their rasping tongue, called a radula, to graze on plants and algae.
2. Slug
Slugs are similar to snails, but they lack a hard, protective shell. Instead, they have a thin, flexible mantle that covers their body and provides some protection. Slugs are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens, and grasslands. They are herbivores and will eat a variety of plants, including flowers, leaves, and stems.
3. Mussel
Mussels are bivalve mollusks that have a hard, hinged shell that encloses their body. They are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including oceans, rivers, and lakes. Mussels are filter feeders and use their gills to extract nutrients from the water. They are an important food source for a variety of animals, including humans.
4. Clam
Clams are also bivalve mollusks with a hard, hinged shell that encloses their body. They are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including oceans, rivers, and lakes. Clams are filter feeders and use their gills to extract nutrients from the water. They are an important food source for a variety of animals, including humans.
The Shells of Crustaceans
Crustaceans are a diverse group of animals that includes crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. They have a hard exoskeleton made of chitin, a type of protein, that encloses their body and provides protection.
5. Crab
Crabs are small to medium-sized animals that have a hard, oval-shaped shell on their back. The shell is made of chitin and serves as protection from predators and the environment. Crabs are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including oceans, rivers, and lakes. They are carnivores and will eat a variety of prey, including fish, insects, and mollusks.
6. Lobster
Lobsters are large, marine crustaceans that have a hard, segmented shell on their back and tail. The shell is made of chitin and serves as protection from predators and the environment. Lobsters are found in oceans and are carnivores, feeding on a variety of prey, including fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. They are a popular food source for humans.
7. Shrimp
Shrimp are small, marine crustaceans that have a hard, segmented shell on their back and tail. The shell is made of chitin and serves as protection from predators and the environment. Shrimp
are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including oceans, rivers, and lakes. They are carnivores and will eat a variety of prey, including small invertebrates and algae. Shrimp are an important food source for a variety of animals, including humans.
The Shells of Turtles
Turtles are reptiles that have a hard, protective shell on their back and underside. The shell is made of bone and serves as protection from predators and the environment.
8. Box Turtle
Box turtles are land-dwelling turtles that have a hinged, box-like shell on their back and underside. The shell is made of bone and provides protection from predators and the environment. Box turtles are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. They are omnivores and will eat a variety of plants and animals, including fruits, vegetables, and insects.
9. Sea Turtle
Sea turtles are marine turtles that have a streamlined, oval-shaped shell on their back and underside. The shell is made of bone and provides protection from predators and the environment. Sea turtles are found in oceans and are adapted to life in the water, with flippers for swimming and the ability to hold their breath for long periods of time. They are carnivores and will eat a variety of prey, including jellyfish, sea grasses, and crustaceans.
The Shells of Insects
Insects are a diverse group of animals that have a hard exoskeleton made of chitin that encloses their body and provides protection.
10. Beetle
Beetles are small to medium-sized insects that have a hard, exoskeletal shell on their back and wings. The shell is made of chitin and provides protection from predators and the environment. Beetles are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. They are herbivores and will eat a variety of plants, including leaves, flowers, and stems.
11. Grasshopper
Grasshoppers are medium-sized insects that have a hard, exoskeletal shell on their back and wings. The shell is made of chitin and provides protection from predators and the environment. Grasshoppers are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. They are herbivores and will eat a variety of plants, including leaves, flowers, and stems.
12. Cicada
Cicadas are medium-sized insects that have a hard, exoskeletal shell on their back and wings. The shell is made of chitin and provides protection from predators and the environment. Cicadas are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. They are herbivores and will eat a variety of plants, including leaves, flowers, and stems. They are known for their loud, singing calls that they use to attract mates.
The Shells of Other Animals
There are a variety of other animals that have shells, including some that are not insects or reptiles.
13. Armadillo
Armadillos are small, burrowing mammals that have a hard, exoskeletal shell on their back and sides. The shell is made of modified skin and provides protection from predators and the environment. Armadillos are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. They are omnivores and will eat a variety of plants and animals, including fruits, vegetables, insects, and small rodents.
15. Terrapin
Terrapins are small, semi-aquatic turtles that have a hard, exoskeletal shell on their back and underside. The shell is made of bone and provides protection from predators and the environment. Terrapins are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including ponds, marshes, and estuaries. They are omnivores and will eat a variety of plants and animals, including fruits, vegetables, insects, and small fish.
16. Snapping Turtle
Snapping turtles are large, freshwater turtles that have a hard, exoskeletal shell on their back and underside. The shell is made of bone and provides protection from predators and the environment. Snapping turtles are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including ponds, rivers, and lakes. They are carnivores and will eat a variety of prey, including fish, insects, and small mammals. They are known for their powerful jaws and the ability to snap their head forward to catch prey.
17. Kinosternon Turtle
Kinosternon turtles are small to medium-sized freshwater turtles that have a hard, exoskeletal shell on their back and underside. The shell is made of bone and provides protection from predators and the environment. Kinosternon turtles are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including ponds, rivers, and lakes. They are omnivores and will eat a variety of plants and animals, including fruits, vegetables, insects, and small fish.