The Tusk Shell
About the Tusk Shell
Tusk shells are found only in soft, muddy ocean bottoms where they burrow to search for food. Tusk shells eat microscopic organisms. Their habitat ranges from shallow sub-littoral areas up to waters that are 4600 m deep. The shell is curved, tubular, and shaped like an elephant tusk. Most average 3 to 6 cm long, but can range from 4 mm to 15 cm. According to fossil records, they were 30 cm long.
Reproduction
All tusk shells burrow into soft ocean bottoms. Some species completely bury themselves, as much as 16 inches. Others are shallow burrowers and leave the tips of their shells sticking out of the mud. Most species require males and females to reproduce. Only a few species are hermaphrodites, with individuals having both male and female reproductive organs. Eggs and sperm are released into the water, where fertilization takes place. The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae that resemble the immature stages of other mollusks.
Tusk shells are found only in soft, muddy ocean bottoms where they burrow to search for food. Tusk shells eat microscopic organisms. Their habitat ranges from shallow sub-littoral areas up to waters that are 4600 m deep. The shell is curved, tubular, and shaped like an elephant tusk. Most average 3 to 6 cm long, but can range from 4 mm to 15 cm. According to fossil records, they were 30 cm long.
Reproduction
All tusk shells burrow into soft ocean bottoms. Some species completely bury themselves, as much as 16 inches. Others are shallow burrowers and leave the tips of their shells sticking out of the mud. Most species require males and females to reproduce. Only a few species are hermaphrodites, with individuals having both male and female reproductive organs. Eggs and sperm are released into the water, where fertilization takes place. The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae that resemble the immature stages of other mollusks.