Spot the Mollusk! 

By Rebecca Mensch, MS, Senior Marine Biologist, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
"Spot the Mollusk!": Chameleons are frequently touted as having spectacular camouflage skills, but they pale in comparison to the abilities of many mollusks. Some gastropods and bivalves have evolved spectacular shells that don’t just act as a hard barrier, but also help them avoid being seen in their natural surroundings. The cephalopods in particular are the real kings of camouflage, with the ability to change not just shape and texture, but also individual pigment cells. Some mollusks, such as nudibranchs, take a different approach. Armed with toxic defenses, they advertise their presence as a warning to potential predators. Join this virtual lecture with Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum’s Senior Marine Biologist, Rebecca Mensch, MS, to learn more about (and see!) the fantastic adaptations many mollusks have evolved to deter detection.