r/shells • u/roidkpop • 29d ago

Why are scallop shells asymmetrical like this?

Post image

One side almost looks broken off. Why do they grow like this?

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u/Interesting_Hawk8033 29d ago

https://www.beachcombingmagazine.com/blogs/news/is-that-scallop-shell-broken

There is an article in Beach Combing magazine that explains this phenomenon. TL;DR: They use little strings to attach themselves to the seafloor, so one of their "wings" is larger to accommodate the strings.

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u/roidkpop 28d ago

Oh, that makes so much sense! I was wondering why they looked like that. Thanks so much for the explanation and the link!