The Insane Biology Of The Volcano Snail

The scaly-foot snail is the only animal in the world known to incorporate iron into its exoskeleton. It builds its shell out of the stuff, and even its soft, fleshy foot is covered in thick iron plates like a medieval knight.

The scaly-foot snail (Chrysomallon squamiferum) is found in the Indian Ocean in hydrothermal vents – fissures in the seafloor, often found near volcanically active places, that eject warm water that’s been heated by molten rock deep below the ocean crust. It lives between depths of 2,400 to 2,900 metres and can withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees Celsius.

00:00 Introduction
00:25 Scientific Name and Classification
01:26 Evolution and History
02:40 Appearance
03:06 Their Shell
03:56 Their Foot
04:33 Their Internal Organs
05:17 Behavior
06:06 Diet
06:51 Habitat and Population
07:43 Reproduction and Lifespan
08:48 Predators and Threats

Sources:

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[sinsinsaladbin]

I’m not sure why this was recommended but I’m here for it

[rehanimus]

This feels almost like speculative biology. Proves to show how strange nature actually is

[keatomic]

The volcano snail's natural enemy, the refrigerator magnet.

[peterstoric]

Other animals have minerals that help reinforce their bodies, like how beaver teeth is reinforced with iron or how most shells are a concoction, but this little guy is one of the few that has it this pure. The only other animal I can think of is blood worms which actually have teeth made of copper. Nature is wild

[happybalint]

I love that you included a clip that shows that they are attratced by magnets. I was wondering if that's a thing for them.

[mikeaintnormal]

Honestly the most metal thing I've ever heard of. Being called a volcano [animal] is just wildly cool.

[PrancingGoldfish]

With iron scales, this sound like something straight out of D&D. Crazy that it actually exists in our world.
Edit: Can ya'll stop bringing up Magcargo, I grew up playing 2nd and 3rd gen, I AM VERY WELL AWARE OF MAGCARGO, thank you. Its just crazy that it's real and in our world.

[charlespittsjr]

Imagine all the animals we will never know about that used to exist. Awesome that life finds a way to survive.

[tangbein]

Always funny when you find the obvious real life inspiration for a pokemon.

[TheGoodContent]

This makes me wonder how many wonderful and mind bending different variations of life existed before humans and that we have no evidence at all.

[akechijubeimitsuhide]

Little snail is quite literally metal XD

[daralic]

The snail is essentially a life supporting mech for the microbes

[gibbyrockerhunter]

Dude that is pretty damn cool. I really enjoyed the more in depth look at this beautiful creature.

Keep it up man, I’m rooting for your channel.

[frck]

Youtube algo has many wonders and flaws, but this brings smile in my face. Now I can see the inspiration of Magcargo came from

[Zerfuks]

You see "Volcanic Snail"

I see real life "Magcargo"



And we're all out of Pokéballs...

[MrScaryPasta]

This snail feels like something straight outta Pokémon. It’s hilarious to think thousands of years ago this beautiful specimen would’ve been seen as something god like in nature or mythical. If only we humans could evolve to live like these volcanic mollusks. We’d no longer need to eat since we’d just filter feed on the air around us.

[Steven-dtnu]

Your presentations have gotten better from your earlier videos. Great work man!

[footfault]

Genetic analysis presented here is really impressive among other features! As said & shown, it indeed show off a bizarre aspect, like a creature timeslipped from the Cambrian! Documentaries have already brought to light inhabitants of deep sea volcanoes, but this is the first time to see this snail. Other creatures are often pigmentless which seems to be the major difference from their relatives of shallower habitats. That makes a notable contrast. Thanks for uploading an intriguing report!

[ratare]

I hope content like this gains popularity. Subjects like this are really interesting! This sheds light on how much life is actually persistent, but also on how it's adaptable. These guys have IRON scales on them! Damn, and it's sad not more research went into this, this is so interesting! I hope my sub will help this channel grow more.

[xandrkenski]

a rare case when YouTube was ACTUALLY useful - I learned something absolutely new