Hi Cindy,

Conchs have a strong muscular appendage called the foot which can be used
in a forceful way such that a hopping motion is created.  They use this
foot for locomotion and to right themselves if turned over.  But they don't
exactly hop around like bunny rabbits.

Yes, hermit crabs can get large enough to inhabit smaller conchs and
perhaps even the larger ones as well.  We often see them when diving.

Indeed, we are having problems in our group but in the electronic classroom
it is difficult to expel unruly students ;-)

Regards,

Scott Jordan

-----Original Message-----
From:   Cynthia Smailes-Rybak [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Sunday, March 17, 2002 8:13 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        3rd Grade Questionn

Hello,
My name is Cindy Smailes-Rybak and I am a third grade teacher.  I see the
group is having problems at the moment but my "lower level" questions may
amuse you,  make you laugh, and you will again be friends and enjoy each
others e-mails.  My questions are FAR BELOW the information I have read
(and
usually don't understand *smile*) but my children have ask the questions
and
I am trying to find people who can supply answers.

We are reading "Cocoa Ice" by Diana Appelbaum.  One passage states:  "I
PUSH
MY BASKET INTO THE WATER AND WADE OUT UNTIL SLIPPERY LEAVES OF TURTLE GRASS
BRUSH AGAINST MY LEGS.  CONCHS ARE HIDING IN THE TURTLE GRASS.   SWIMMING
SLOWLY, I PUSH THE GRASS ASIDE.  CONCHS LOOK A LOT LIKE MOSSY ROCKS WHEN
THEY
STAND STILL, BUT I'LL CATCH ONE IF IT HOPS."    We (myself included) were
surprised when we read the Conch "hop."   Could anyone explain their means
of
movement?

The next question that arose was from the passage:  "SOMETHING MOVES UNDER
THE GRASS AND I DIVE FOR IT, SURFACING WITH THE CONCH AND LOOKING FOR PAPA
TO
SHOW HIM MY CATCH.  BUT AS I REACH TO PUT MY PRIZE IN THE BASKET, A BIG,
RED
CLAW REACHES FOR ME!   I SQUEAL AND DROP THE FIERCE SHELL.  IT'S ONLY A
HERMIT CRAB.  BUT I WANT CONCHS, NOT HERMIT CRABS."

Their (and mine) question is "do hermit crabs get large enough to live in
conch shells?"  We have three hermit crabs in our class room and we cannot
conceptualize them as being large enough to live in a Conch shell.

Again I hope my low level questions amuse you (but don't offend you).   Any
help would be appreciated.  Remember the answers are for 3rd graders.   I
will await any reply.  Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
Cyn Smailes-Rybak
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