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Scaly-Foot Snail
(Chrysomallon squamiferum)
Its found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean.
Ranges from 32 - 45.5mm (1.3 - 1.8in) in shell width.
Its energy is provided by bacteria in its esophagus that converts toxic chemicals from hydrothermal vents into nutrients.
Unknown, but typically lives for 10+ years in the wild. Only survives about 3 weeks in captivity.
While other creatures have iron elements, this snail is the only known creature to incorporate iron directly into its skeleton that it gets from hydrothermal vents! Much more than that, it also incorporates chain-mail like iron sclerites on its sides!
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