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Did you know that many gastropods can create a pearl, including terrestrial snails? The difference is nacre which is only found in some species of mollusks and which which gives pearls their beautiful shine. Terrestrial snails occasionally produce very small translucent white pearls which are usually lost. One non-nacre secreting sea snail, the melo melo, produces gorgeous pearls that are extremely prized and rare.

Conches can also produce pearls.

Paua (also called abalone) can make pearls as well- though they are only half-pearls (called mabel pearls)

Things animals love to make:

Happy tenth anniversary to this comic. I just learned that it’s still being shared constantly on Tumblr. I don’t totally understand why people like it so much, but I like it too.