Seashell Scavenger Hunt

Seashell Scavenger Hunt

You can now download and print this activity by clicking HERE.  Welcome to the beach! Today you are hunting seashells. To complete the hunt, you will need a camera and the pictures below. You can print the photos HERE if you won't have access to a mobile device at the beach.  Enjoy your time collecting shells and observing your surroundings! The scoring of the activity can be completed the checklist and submit the photos of seashells when you get home.

Have you ever thought about where seashells come from?

Shells were once a part of living animals commonly known as Mollusks. Mollusks have a soft body that holds the heart, liver, digestive system, and other important organs. Most mollusks make their own shell for protection. They are invertebrates, which means that they don't have a backbone.  You will find two types of mollusks on the beach today.

• univalves - animals with one shell such as a conch, whelk, olive and auger
• bivalves - animals with two shells such as clams, oysters, and scallops

As you find seashells, think about whether they are univalves or bivalves. Mollusk shells can be very colorful. Some have shades of pink, orange, yellow, or other colors. The shells often have dotted or striped patterns, too. There are more than 100,000 species, or types, of mollusks.

Why are shells important?

Seashells are an important part of coastal ecosystems. They provide materials for birds' nests, an attachment surface for algae, sea grass, sponges and a host of other microorganisms. Hermit crabs use them as temporary shelters. Seashells also aid in beach
stabilization and create important calcium carbonate sediment as they break down. Understanding where shells come from adds more meaning to their vital role in the ecosystem.