There are many animals that have shells and they are found both on land and at sea.
Why do animals need shells?
While we think of an animal’s shell as a portable home, it is more than that. Projectiles serve multiple purposes. The projectile can help the animal:
- Hide from predators.
- Protect his internal organs.
- Take shelter from rain, wind and sun.
- Drive safely around the environment.
How animals use shells
Each type of animal uses shells differently.
Armadillos need thick armor to burrow deep in the sand, where they build their nests and hide from predators.
The shells of the clams completely cover these animals to protect their soft bodies as they tumble along the ocean floor. Crabs and lobsters allow plants and algae to form on their shells as a camouflage.
Scales are not shells
Some animals have scaly skin. These include fish, alligators, and snakes. While scales are also protective, they are not the same as shells. Their main function is to retain water inside the body of the animal. The scale also helps animals move smoothly on water or land.
What animals have shells? We’ve combed land and sea to find the most intriguing creatures that survive on their shells. Here are the top 10.
# 10: sea urchin

Sea urchins (Echonoidea) – marine animals that live in intertidal regions and in the depths of the ocean. They have a characteristic round shape surrounded by thorns. Sea urchins use their little legs to travel.
There are over 900 species of sea urchins, but most of them are divided into two types. Common hedgehogs have a round body, while irregular hedgehogs are flat with short spines. Irregular urchins are also known as sand urchins.
The shells of these unusual animals are dark in color with spots of red, purple and green, and their bodies are dark orange in color. The sharp needles of the sea urchin scare off most predators. However, they are a delicacy in Asian and other cuisines.
# 9: wood tick

Like its insect cousin, the mosquito, this tiny parasite is a dangerous bloodsucker. Wood ticks carry diseases and are common in forests and fields around the world. Any wooded or grassy area where mammals live is bound to be teeming with ticks.
Ticks live off the blood of living mammals, which they receive by attaching themselves to the skin of warm fur-bearing animals, including humans. If you’ve ever tried to knock a tick out of yourself or a pet, you know how hard their shell is. Often, a tick cannot even be killed by stepping on it.
The best way to get rid of the tick is to pull it out with sharp or narrow tweezers. Place the tick in a jar of rubbing alcohol or flush it down the toilet.
# 8: Texas Armored Beetle

The name should be your first sign that this insect has an extremely tough outer shell. Armored Beetle (Zoperus haldemani) is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Since it mainly dwells in the desert, it needs a hard shell to retain water.
This attractive beetle is about an inch long. He has a white body with black specks and thick black legs.
Armadillo beetles are nocturnal. They feed on mushrooms and lichens found in trees and bushes. When threatened, they can stick their antennae in and pretend to be dead. If necessary, they can remain in this position for several days.
How serious is this bug? Scientists say that you cannot kill a person by stepping on him. In addition, insecticides kill more time than any other insect.
# 7: king crab

King crabs (Paralithodes california) thrive in the harsh cold waters of the North Atlantic. These are some of the most popular types of crab caught for food. Their sheer size and sweet tender meat make them a valuable ingredient.
There are over 120 species of Kamchatka crabs, but Kamchatka crabs are the most popular targets for food and fishing. With an average leg span of 6 feet and an average weight of 12 pounds, these popular crabs are found primarily in the Bering Sea. Red crabs account for over 90% of the Kamchatka crab catches.
The blue king crab, which can weigh over 18 pounds, is the largest member of the king crab family. They mainly inhabit the waters of Alaska, Japan and Russia.
# 6: longhorn cow fish

This strange-looking member of the boxwood family has a bright yellow body and long horns protruding from its head.
The cow has a square body, completely covered with a hard bony shell. Its tail and fins protrude from a shell or box.
Longhorn cow (Laktoria cornut) lives in the warmest regions of the Red Sea, Pacific and Indian oceans. Like its boxwood cousins, it can secrete a toxin that repels predators.
You can see longhorn cows at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
# 5: chambered nautilus

It is considered a living fossil because it has existed for centuries, the nautilus under the patrons (Nautilus Pompilius) is known for its gorgeous intricate shell, which can range in color from white to deep pink. Unfortunately, this beautiful shell has also become the target of commercial companies selling shells to collectors.
Nautilus is an aquatic cephalopod mollusk that mainly lives in the Pacific Ocean and the coastal regions of the Indian Ocean. These animals can live up to 20 years in the wild, but reach maturity at a later age of 10 to 15 years.
The nautilus under patronage is endangered throughout its range and protected by most laws. The main threat to these animals is the market for their shells, but they have also suffered from habitat destruction, slow reproduction and overfishing.
You can see these beauties in the San Diego Birch Aquarium, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or the Waikiki Aquarium in Hawaii.
# 4: pond slider

Pond slider (Trachemys scripta) is a medium-sized land turtle found throughout most of North America. The preferred habitats of the slider are lakes, ponds, swamps and slow rivers.
Many people imagine a pond slider when they think of the classic turtle. In fact, the water slide is one of the most popular domestic turtle breeds. Pond sliders don’t do well in captivity, however, and most pets return to the wild after people get tired of them.
This turtle has a round shell with bright yellow and green markings. As it ages, the turtle’s shell darkens and some of the older waterslides may look almost black. In the wild, they can live up to 30 years.
Aquatic crawlers live on a mixed diet that includes snails, tadpoles, crayfish, and worms. They also feed on water lilies, duckweed and algae. You can see water slides in most US state parks. Although they have suffered from habitat destruction, former pets have created new nesting sites for pond snails.
# 3: Roman snail

This snail (Helix pomatia) has an elegant, rounded shell. Although the Roman snail is native to Europe, it adapts to different climates and is now found all over the world.
Also called burgundy snail or edible snail, this is the type commonly used to create snails. Like other garden snails, the Roman snail breathes with its lungs. Sea snails use gills, or a combination of lungs and gills.
The Roman snail has two pairs of tentacles on its head. It uses the upper tentacles to see and the lower ones as small sensors.
# 2: battleship

Battleship (Dasipodidae) is the only mammal that has a shell. This unusual animal lives in the Southwest of America and Mexico. Its name comes from the Spanish word for “small armored”, a good name for these well-protected creatures.
The armadillo’s carapace becomes soft when the armadillo is an infant. As the animal grows, the shell becomes thicker and harder. The shell is composed of keratin and fossilized bones. The armor of the armadillo, although it provides reliable protection, does not cover the lower body of the animal.
If you’ve ever watched a natural show, you may have seen a menacing battleship slide into a ball of protective armor. In fact, only a three-lane battleship can do this. The nine-belted battleship must either fight or work its way into a safe dungeon.
The nine-lane armadillo is a mammal of the state of Texas. You can see these little tanks at the Fort Worth and Dallas Zoos. Bristol Zoo in the UK. has six-lane battleships.
# 1: Radiated Turtle

One of the rarest turtles in the world, the emitting tortoise is known for its domed and strikingly beautiful shell. Its shiny yellow markings form a clear pattern against a dark background. As the turtle gets older, the vibrant colors become paler, but never lose their unique pattern.
The irradiated turtle is native to Madagascar but was introduced to the islands of Mauritius and Reunion. Inhabits woodlands and dry forests.
The irradiated turtle mainly eats grass, leaves, flowers, and fruits. In the dry season, it feeds on dried leaves.
These turtles are known for their “rain dance” when they shake themselves to wash the wet particles off their shells. They can live 40 to 100 years in the wild, and one turtle in captivity has lived to be 188 years old.
Like many other turtles, irradiated turtles are in critical danger due to habitat loss, hunting and illegal pet trade.
A radiated turtle is considered the flagship or cornerstone of the species, which means that many other species benefit from the conservation of the species. The irradiated turtles are protected in Madagascar and in accordance with international law.
You can see these rare beautiful turtles at the Washington DC National Zoo, Knoxville and other zoos. The Atlanta Zoo is working with the Turtle Survival Alliance to bring poacher-rescued turtles back into the wild. The St. Louis Zoo Turtle Sanctuary is home to over 9,000 rescued irradiated turtles.
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