Gastropod Chemistry

[MesmatePipe]

Does anyone know what the chemical makeup of a snail, conch, nerite, periwinkle, etc. shell?

 

[pagojoe]

Yes, it's layered or latticed calcium carbonate, generally. The ones you mentioned are mostly aragonite. There are a handful of oddball exceptions that include other substances, like:

http://animalworld.tumblr.com/post/6455283175/armoured-snail-crysomallon-squamiferum-c-jamstec

http://deepseanews.com/2010/01/the-evolution-of-iron-clad-samurai-snails-with-gold-feet/

 

[MesmatePipe]

Thanks, I wanted to make sure it wasn't calcium bicarbonate because corals use that and positive calcium ions to build their skeletons. I'm trying to put small non aggressive corals on the shells on conchs, I'm not going into details but I know what I'm doing.

 

[TommyP]

I had an old snail shell that some mushrooms were growing on... My hermit picked it up.. then dropped it a few days later.. It was cool while it lasted lol

 

[MesmatePipe]

Interesting, I might try that