Oceanicist on Instagram: "The most beautiful abalone shell I’ve ever seen, tucked away as if it were part of the reef’s secret history. That iridescent shimmer comes from microscopic layers of calcium carbonate, nacre, a composite material the abalone uses to protect its soft body from the crushing force of the waves. You can often tell what an abalone has been eating by the colors in its shell, different seaweeds create different hues!"
0:12
Oceanicist on Instagram: "The most beautiful abalone shell I’ve ever seen, tucked away as if it were part of the reef’s secret history. That iridescent shimmer comes from microscopic layers of calcium carbonate, nacre, a composite material the abalone uses to protect its soft body from the crushing force of the waves. You can often tell what an abalone has been eating by the colors in its shell, different seaweeds create different hues!"
2.7K views3 months ago
Instagramoceanicist
See more