Fun Facts:

• The word's largest invertebrate is the Giant Squid 

•  Cephalopods (squid, octopi and cuttlefish) are considered the most intelligent invertebrate.

• Many mollusks have multiple hearts

• The phylum Mollusca is the second-largest phylum and makes up about 23% of all marine organisms 

• A sea slug's stomach is in their foot

Key Characteristics:

• Body: have a mantle, a soft tissue layer that covers the body, that has different functions for different types of mollusks: forms and repairs the shell, can aid in movement, acts as a filter, protects internal organs and aids in breathing and excretion. 

• Body: all but bivalves have a radula that acts as a tongue to scrape, feed and drill.

• Foot: all have a specialized foot used for grasping, creeping or digging.

• Shell: some have a shell made of calcium carbonate, other things made of calcium carbonate are eggshells, pearls and coral skeletons.

• Symmetry: Bilateral

Mollusks Explained!

Mollusk Body Plan