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Biology

The Dynamics of Predator–Prey Arms Races in Marine Gastropods

Quick fact

Some marine snails, like the thick-shelled Nucella lapillus, can increase the thickness of their shells by up to 30% when they simply detect the chemical cues of a predatory crab nearby—a rapid inducible defense that makes them harder to crack.

Why this is interesting

Every time a crab snaps a snail's shell, it's not just a meal—it's a round in an evolutionary arms race that has been running for millions of years. How does a snail 'fight back' against a predator that can crush it with a single pinch?