Hydrothermal Vent Snail

Hydrothermal Vent Snail

Carolina F.
Hierachy 1

Shares a symbiotic relationship with chemosynthetic bacteria. The snail provides a home for the bacteria within their gills while the bacteria make food from nutrients released from hydrothermal vents. Crabs, fish, shrimp, and other snails prey on Hydrothermal Vent Snails. Alviniconcha larvae can swim long distances in search of new vents!


Graphic by Bilexis Casado