When you are at the beach, have you ever noticed all of the different kinds of seashells? Although there are so many, the variety of seashells you find are typically homes to only two different types of mollusks.
The first we will talk about are Gastropods. Gastropods make up the largest class of mollusks, encompassing snails, slugs, and limpets. The word "gastropod" literally means "stomach-foot," referring to their muscular foot that they use for movement. The key characteristic of a gastropod is their single, spiraled shell. Some common examples are whelks, conchs, tulips, and olives. These animals can be herbivores or carnivores depending on the species.
While gastropods are single-shelled, Bivalves are characterized by having two matching shells, or valves, connected by a flexible hinge. Although they have a muscular foot, bivalves are generally sedentary or slow-moving and use their foot to burrow in the sand for protection. This group of mollusks are mainly filter-feeders, which means they eat by pumping water through their bodies and using their gills to strain out microscopic plankton and nutrients. This makes them vital for keeping coastal waters clean, as they naturally help filter the ocean. Once the animal dies, the pair of valves are usually separated, making it more common to find a single side than the entire bivalve on the beach. Common examples are clams, scallops, oysters, and cockles.
Now that you know the difference between the two main types of seashells, which is your favorite? Do you prefer the spiral beauty of the gastropod? Or, are you captivated by the bivalve and it's vital role in the ecosystem? Both are full of beauty and wonder. You can't make a wrong choice!