Discover the Ocean's Treasures: Top 9 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Abalone

1. Shellebrity Status

Step aside, oysters – it's time for abalone to take the throne in the game of "shellebrity" status: These large sea snails not only boast shells perfect for creating finely crafted art pieces like chandeliers and vases, but their delectable meat is a luxurious treat often found on the menus of high-end restaurants, with a sustainable farming option as an eco-friendly cherry on top!
Source => houzz.com

2. Underwater Wizards of Respiration

Abalone, the underwater wizards of respiration, have harnessed the power of "Shell-a-portation" to breathe their way through life: These magical mollusks utilize their gills at the front of their bodies to inhale water, obtaining precious oxygen, only to send said water on a whirlwind trip through their perforated shells before ultimately expelling the carbon dioxide-filled water back into the sea.
Source => vichighmarine.ca

Discover the magical world of sea urchins and their unique, crystal-like spines that grant them incredible flexibility and strength. Are they attending underwater Hogwarts? Dive in to find out!

=> Fun Facts about Sea-Urchins

3. Haute Couture of the Sea

If abalone shells were to join the world of haute couture, they'd surely steal the spotlight with their stunning iridescent attire: This marine mollusk's breathtaking shell colors are actually a result of layer diffraction from their aragonite nacre tiles, which vary in thickness throughout their growth, creating a captivating display of vivid hues and even sometimes the entire visible spectrum.
Source => degruyter.com

4. Armored Tanks of the Marine World

Abalone shells are the armored tanks of the marine world – they're shell-shockingly unstoppable when it comes to withstanding enemy attack: Their secret weapon lies in their nacreous layer, which boasts a "brick-and-mortar" structure with near-perfect crystal alignment, letting them shrug off stress and pressure like a comedian reviews a bad joke.
Source => sciencedirect.com

5. Dining on the Coastal Catwalk

Step aside, aquatic divas with your sleek, muscular foot draped in the season's trendiest shells - tonight we dine on the coastal catwalk: Abalone, a univalve gastropod mollusk found on the West Coast of the United States, is not just a pretty shell; it's a delectable treat with a chewy texture akin to a scallop-squid lovechild. But whilst wild stocks dwindle, we can raise a buttery toast to farmed abalone, with the Big Island Abalone Company serving up an impressive five million in their all-red-algae-all-the-time buffet, just remember to save those pennies, as this salty runway star can set you back over $20 a piece!
Source => foodrepublic.com

6. DIY Home Renovation Experts of the Sea

Believe it or not, abalone are the DIY home renovation experts of the sea! Just like humans, they can't stand the sight of a chipped wall, so they're always quick to lay down new layers and patch things up in their marvelous mother-of-pearl mansions: In the face of minor damages to their shells, abalone can seamlessly repair and thicken their shells with new layers using their trusty mantle, eventually growing into their full, gorgeous size and showcasing their aquatic handiwork to the world!
Source => marinebio.net

7. Underwater Dating Superstars

Looking for love in Alderaan places? Pacific abalone populations may be a force to be reckoned with in the underwater dating scene: These savory sea-snails belonging to the Haliotis discus species have two subspecies, H. discus hannai and H. discus discus, which display unique genetic traits, making them a catch in their respective regions of East Asian coastal waters.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

8. Abalone Superpower Capes

Forget about Superman's abs, it's all about abalone shells when it comes to true superpowers: These mighty mollusk capes are a miraculous marvel of nature, made from an intricate array of aragonitic calcium carbonate crystals joined together in a protein promenade, that not only withstand enormous pressure but also have the ability to self-heal from cracks or damage. Talk about being under the sea and under control!
Source => sciencedirect.com

9. Chemoattractant Cupids

When Cupid runs out of arrows and resorts to chemistry: Red abalone use the l-isomer of tryptophan to attract sperm to their eggs, resulting in a dose-dependent and stereospecific response that increases the likelihood of fertilization. The clever use of chemoattractant plumes, optimized for the hydrodynamic conditions of their spawning habitats, gives these marine Casanovas the ability to improve their fertilization success without needing bigger eggs.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov