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Helen Scales investigates the bizarre world of the hermit crab and uncovers the truth behind the substance known as sea silk.

Marine biologist Dr Helen Scales tells the story of seashells; from the molluscs that create them to the humans who have used them as jewellery, symbol and even currency.

Episode 3
Helen Scales investigates the bizarre world of the hermit crab and uncovers the truth behind the near-mythical substance 'sea silk'.

Written and read by Helen Scales
Abridged by Sian Preece
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Helen Scales' doctorate involved searching for giant, endangered fish in Borneo; she's also tagged sharks in California, and once spent a year cataloguing all the marine life she could find surrounding a hundred islands in the Andaman Sea. Helen appears regularly on 大象传媒 Radio 4 on programmes such as 'Inside Science' and 'Shared Planet' and has presented documentaries on topics such as whether people will ever live underwater, the science of making and surfing waves and the intricacies of sharks' minds.

15 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Reader Helen Scales
Author Helen Scales
Abridger Sian Preece
Producer Eilidh McCreadie

Broadcasts

  • Wed 5 Aug 2015 09:45
  • Thu 6 Aug 2015 00:30

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