Goose bumps with iron-legged animals with iron armor

Very deep in the bottom of the Indian Ocean, near the hot hydrothermal vents, where hot streams erupt into black and tall smoke columns, there are exotic bipedal animals with the scientific name Chrysomallon squamiferum. This is a species of hydrothermal snail belonging to the mollusc family living in the deep sea.

The harsh living environment makes snails adapt themselves with a unique set of "armor" . It is a three-layer shell.

Hydrothermal snails live in the deep sea.

The outermost layer is about 30 micrometers thick, made of iron sulfide. This layer can break when hit but it is also a way for snail to absorb energy, and discourages any enemy who wants to attack it.

The middle layer is organic horn, similar to the thin protein coating above other shells. It is also the thickest of the three layers and is also the thickest (about 150 micrometers), which acts as an "analgesic" organic cushion for snails.

The innermost layer is aragonite - a form of calcium carbonate commonly found in the bark of many different molluscs and corals.

This is the only species on Earth that is known for its ability to use iron in its own shell as a protective layer.

Harsh environment makes the snail adapt to a 3-layer shell.

Thus, each layer in the snail's thick shell plays an important role in contributing to the defensive effectiveness of snails. Scientists say this is the only species on Earth that is known for its ability to use iron in its own shell as a protective layer. The US military is currently working to create new armor effectively.