Camouflage

Can you spot the mollusk in this coral reef? The colors of the giant clam featured in the bottom of this image help it blend in with its surroundings.

 

 

 

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Shell Collector

This may look like a pile of discarded shells, but it is really a carrier shell covered in its collection. Carrier shells attach stones, bits of coral, and dead shells to themselves for camouflage and to strengthen their own shell.

 

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Color Change

Some mollusks, such as this octopus, have the ability to change color, body texture, and shape when alarmed or threatened. This octopus has changed its color and texture to blend in with the surface below.

 

 

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Always Watching

Scallops, like the one seen here, have two rows of eyes that enable them to look in every direction and sense motion.

 

 

 

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Boring Mollusks

Striate wood piddocks, seen in this photo, are one species of clam that bore into objects such as wood and rock to hide from predators. Shipworms are another such species.

 

 

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Warning Color

Some mollusks, like this nudibranch (a type of snail), Tambja morosa, are brightly colored to warn predators that they taste bad and may be poisonous.