Gastropod
Cenozoic Era
65 million years ago to today
A sea snail formed this intricate shell between 5 and 3 million years ago. The
elaborate ruffled spines helped protect the animal inside. The shells of many
gastropods (snails and slugs) have rugged ribs, spines, tubercles, and flanges.
They increase the shell's size at crucial points, making it more difficult for
hungry crabs, lobsters, fish, and birds to break through.
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Trilobite | Mosasaur | Basilosaurus |
