Chrysomallon squamiferum, a snail with iron in its shell

  • Chrysomallon squamiferum Snail with iron shell
Snail with iron shell
 

The only thing harder than this tough little sea snail is trying to pronounce its scientific name properly - Chrysomallon squamiferum, or scaly-foot gastropod. This surprising creature lives at the bottom of the Indian Ocean, in its hydrothermal vent fields. It is solidly built to withstand its hostile environment with a unique three layered shell that is partly constructed of iron. That means that it is actually attracted by magnets!!