Tusk Shells (Dentalium Mollusk Shells)

These tusk shells belong to marine mollusks in the class Scaphopoda, known for their elongated, tubular shells that resemble miniature elephant tusks.

These shells are slightly curved and open at both ends, allowing the animal to maintain a continuous flow of seawater for respiration and waste removal. Composed primarily of calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite, Dentalium shells have a smooth, often glossy surface with fine longitudinal ridges that strengthen the structure against pressure at ocean depths up to 4.3 miles (7 km).

The organism lives buried vertically in sediment, using specialized tentacle-like structures called captacula to capture microscopic prey such as foraminifera. 

Despite their simple appearance, Dentalium shells represent an efficient evolutionary solution for life within soft marine substrates. Fossil records show Scaphopods have existed for over 400 million years, indicating remarkable long-term stability in their ecological niche.

Some Native American tribes have used tuck shells as currency for over 6,000 years (pictured: Lucy Red Cloud, Souix, 1899)

Each vial contains 3-4 cleaned tusk shells.