Molluscs

In Cornwall four of the five mollusc groups are commonly found. Gastropoda which include the marine equivalent of landed slugs and snails; Polyplacophora represented solely by the chitons; Bivalvia made up of two shelled creatures; and the final group Cephalopoda which incorporates the cuttlefish.

Fortunately Cornish beaches provide a large range of molluscs, many of which are rarely found in other parts of the UK. Often it is not the live animal found but just the shell, this persists long after the body has decayed or been eaten.

BIVALVES

GASTROPODS

CHITONS

CUTTLEFISH

SEA SLUGS

Bivalves  have a shell which is divided into two valves, hinged at one side.

Gastropods are molluscs with a single shell i.e they are basically marine snails.

Highly advanced and agile swimmers. Their bones are commonly found.

Sea slugs are marine gastropods, which like their land equivalents, have no shell.