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  1. Gastropod shell - Wikipedia

    The gastropod shell is part of the body of many gastropods, including snails, a kind of mollusc. The shell is an exoskeleton, which protects from predators, mechanical damage, and dehydration, but also …

  2. Gastropod - Shell Structure, Anatomy, Diversity | Britannica

    The typical snail has a calcareous shell coiled in a spiral pattern around a central axis called the columella. Generally, the coils, or whorls, added later in life are larger than those added when the …

  3. How Do Snails Get Their Shells? - HowStuffWorks

    It's during the gestation period that a snail's shell begins to form. The mantle is a crucial organ possessed by mollusks such as snails. Its function? Making and developing shells. Calcium …

  4. How Are Snail Shells Formed and What Are They Made Of?

    Aug 19, 2025 · Understand the biological and chemical processes behind snail shell formation. Explore what they’re made of and how they grow.

  5. What Is The Scientific Name For A Snail Shell

    Dec 29, 2024 · The shell of a snail is scientifically known as the gastropod shell, belonging to the class Gastropoda, which includes snails, slugs, limpets, and sea hares. The term "gastropod" translates to …

  6. Gastropod Shapes and Description, Kentucky Geological Survey ...

    Jan 5, 2023 · Gastropods have coiled shells. The shell is wrapped around a central axis, termed the columella, forming whorls. Each whorl is a complete revolution of the shell around the columella. …

  7. Seashell - Wikipedia

    A seashell (or sea shell), also known simply as a shell, is a hard, protective outer layer usually created by an animal or organism that lives in the sea. Most seashells are made by mollusks, such as snails, …

  8. Snail Shell Formation - AquaWorldHub

    Dec 21, 2024 · Snail shells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which is secreted by the snail’s body and slowly built up over time. This process is made possible by the snail’s unique …

  9. The Structure of Snail Shells Explained | Britannica

    NARRATOR: Snail shells were originally developed to protect the snails' internal organs, which are located in a visceral hump. At birth, the visceral hump turns along its lineal axis, eventually creating a …

  10. How Are Snail Shells Made? The Biological Process

    Aug 23, 2025 · Uncover the fascinating biological mechanisms by which snails construct their intricate and vital protective shells.