Sea Butterfly

ocean · mollusks · plankton · shells

Wing-like swimmers. Sea butterflies have a pair of large fins called wings that they flap to move through the water, which makes them look like butterflies dancing in the sea.

Transparent shells. Most sea butterflies have shells made of calcium, but the shells are so light and see-through that you could almost look right through them.

Floating food web. Sea butterflies drift in ocean currents and are some of the most important foods for fish, whales, and seabirds around the world.

Tiny ocean dwellers. These snails are pelagic, meaning they spend their whole lives swimming freely in the open ocean rather than living on the seafloor.

Ancient ocean clues. Scientists study sea butterfly shells sinking to the ocean floor to learn about ocean health and climate change happening today.