Scaphopods (tusk shells)

The 350 or so species of tusk shells, or scaphopods (class Scaphopoda), have an elongated shell, open at the top and tapered like an elephant tusk. They live in sandy or muddy bottoms. They narrow top end of the shell protrudes from the bottom, while the foot projects from the wide end. Many species have thin tentacles with adhesive tips. They are used to capture feroaminiferans, young bivalves, and other small organisms from the sediment. Tusk shells are most common in deep water, but empty shells sometimes wash ashore.

Hermit Crabs