I asked,
> Has anyone witnessed Xenophora attaching objects to itself, perhaps in an
aquarium? How does the animal do that? Does it fuss around inspecting
different bits of shell, like a hermit crab seeking a new domicile?

And Peggy Williams answered,
> Some years ago there was an article in a shell club newsletter about this.
Yes, it fusses around inspecting different bits of shell, then spends time
deciding just how to attach it. I think the process took a day or two.

Thanks, Peggy, that's interesting. But the shell bits have to be cemented
somehow to the Xenophora's outer shell, and most mollusks secrete calcium
carbonate from the mantle. The problem is that the snail has to hold the new
shell bit in place while cementing it onto its outer shell -- and I doubt if
it's as easy as dabbing a bit of glue onto the outer shell and then sticking
the new shell bit onto it. Of course, the mantle is a very flexible organ.
The question might be partially addressed by examining Xenophora shells
whose shell bits have come loose, that is, if they have not been touched up
with glue by people.

Andy

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama

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