We all subjectively know that nature is very resilient. Creatures are able to survive in many environments that we would consider inhospitable and not give a second glace at, but still, nature finds a way. Creatures evolve and adapt to extreme circumstances, even deadly ones like really high temperatures near volcanos. One certain creature is very adept at doing this, known as the volcanic snail, this marine creature is a fascinating example of adaptability and even has a iron shell.
Discovered in 2001, the volcanic snail (scientific name Chrysomallon squamiferum) lives in what is considered one of the most extreme and hostile environments on the planet, which are the hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean. This place is known for its extreme conditions, water gets up to 400°C, is full of heavy metals and sulfur, and pressure is crushing, but still, volcanic snails thrive in this environment and have adapted through he centuries to make it their home.
The home of the volcanic snail, a creature we do not know enough about
These are not common snails by any stretch of the imagination, and they have only been found in three known locations near the Indian coastline, which is likely why, when combined with the conditions of their habitats, it took so long to discover them. They live almost three kilometers beneath the ocean’s surface, where the water is toxic enough to kill pretty much anything else, including humans without proper protection that dare venture to look for them.
But still, what for almost any other species would mean instant death, for the Chrysomallon squamiferum means the warmth and comfort of home, and to make it even more homey they have had to adapt. The volcanic snail is the only known animal on Earth that wears an actual iron shell. This is unheard of, as most other shells are made out of softer materials that are lightweight enough to be transported by their carrier, but the environment that surrounds this creature has made it a necessity, as iron takes a lot more force to crush.
It has a three-part shell with an outer layer made from iron sulfide, a soft middle layer that acts like padding, and a tough inner layer made of calcium carbonate. Altogether, this structure is basically a natural suit of armor designed to handle pressure, heat, and predators. But its shell is not the only protection it has developed against its environment, covering parts of its foot are little metal-tipped scales called sclerites, which add another layer of defense and give the snail the ability to stick to magnetic surfaces.
If we are stunned now, imagine the scientists that discovered it when they met the first animal on Earth with a true suit of armor.
The question then became about its nutrition, as it lives in an environment where very few things survive and they are the rarity. Well, that is almost even more interesting, as they have managed to form a partnership with bacteria. Inside its esophagus lives the thiotrophic bacteria, which handle all the food production duties thanks to a process known as chemosynthesis. It is similar to how plants do photosynthesis, except instead of sunlight, they use sulfur compounds spewing from the vents to make nutrients and in return, the snail gives the bacteria a cozy spot to live.
While it is surprising and a little strange, we tend to forget that there is a lot that we do not know about nature. We have barely scratched the surface of the Earth, never mind the depths of the ocean, and so every time we discover a new species that has managed to overcome conditions that we would consider dangerous, it fascinates us and we cannot wait to learn more.