ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mollusc shell

Okay kiddo, have you ever seen a snail or a clam? They have something on their body called a shell! The shell is a hard outer layer that helps protect the animal inside. It's like a little house that they carry with them everywhere they go.

The shell is made out of something called calcium carbonate, which is a type of rock that animals like snails and clams can produce in their own bodies! They do this by taking in calcium and carbon from the water around them, and then combining them together to make the hard shell.

The shell is made up of different layers, kind of like a cake or a sandwich. These layers help to add strength to the shell and make it even harder. Sometimes, you can see different colors or patterns on the shell too! This is because of different chemicals that the animal adds to the calcium carbonate as the shell grows.

Overall, the mollusc shell is a really cool and important part of many animals' bodies. It helps them stay safe and protects them from predators in the wild.