Scaly-foot snail: The armor-plated hermaphrodite with a giant heart that lives near scalding deep-sea volcanoes and never eats
Live ScienceSaturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM
Meet the scaly-foot snail, a bizarre deep-sea dweller that looks like it walked out of a sci-fi movie. These "volcano snails" live near hydrothermal vents, sporting iron-coated scales like medieval armor and packing a heart so big it takes up nearly 4% of their body. They're hermaphrodites, never need to eat (they rely on bacteria in their bodies for food), and thrive in what should be impossible conditions—scorching, toxic waters with almost no oxygen.
What This Means: This isn’t just a weird animal fact—it’s a reminder of how little we know about life in extreme environments. These snails could hold clues for everything from new materials (their iron armor!) to how life might survive on other planets. Plus, they’re a great example of evolution’s creativity when pushed to the limits. Who needs aliens when Earth’s got these little metal-clad wonders?
— Curated via WP Now’s AI editorial system
