# Angelwing (*Cyrtopleura costata*)

The Angelwing is a beautiful shell that looks like an angel's wing! It lives in the ocean and is often found on sandy beaches. Its unique shape makes it a favorite for collectors.

- **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Coastal areas

![Angelwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cyrtopleura_costata_13a.jpg&width=800)

Photo: MerlinCharon, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cyrtopleura_costata_13a.jpg)

## Appearance

The Angelwing has a thin, delicate, pure white shell shaped like a bird's wing. Its elongated, fan-like appearance and prominent radiating ribs make it distinctive among bivalves, often with serrated edges.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Mollusca
- **Class:** Bivalvia
- **Order:** Myida
- **Family:** Pholadidae
- **Genus:** Cyrtopleura

## Interesting facts

- Did you know Angelwings can live for over 10 years deep in the sand?
- Sometimes, two Angelwing shells are found still hinged together!
- Their shells have tiny spikes that help them grip the sand!
- Wow, this clam can burrow faster than you can dig a hole!

## Special abilities

- **Burrowing Master:** Angelwing can rapidly burrow into sand using its muscular foot, helping it hide from predators.
- **Shell Shield:** Angelwing has a fragile but strong shell that protects its soft body from damage and predators.
- **Filter Feeder:** Angelwing can filter tiny food particles from the water using its specialized siphons, helping it get nutrients.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 10 cm
- **Size:** 0.5 mm
- **Maximum Depth:** 1 m

## Diet & Feeding

This amazing clam filters tiny bits of food from ocean water.

- **Primary Foods:** phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus
- **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Common Oyster Drill (*Urosalpinx cinerea*) — Snails drill into shells to eat the clam.
- **Eaten by:** [Blue Crab](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-crab) (*Callinectes sapidus*) — Crabs can crush shells to eat the soft clam inside.
- **Depends on:** Turtle Grass (*Thalassia testudinum*) — Lives in sediments stabilized by seagrass roots.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

## Collections

- [Curiosities](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/curiosities)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Be careful when picking up shells; some can be sharp or have small creatures inside.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Angelwing?

Compare the overall shape, opening, spiral, ribs, hinge and surface sculpture. Beach shells often lose the colors and sharp edges they had on the living animal, so shape does most of the work. Seashell Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Angelwing?

10 cm

### How big is Angelwing?

0.5 mm

### What does Angelwing eat?

This amazing clam filters tiny bits of food from ocean water.

### Where is Angelwing usually found?

Coastal areas

### How does Angelwing hunt?

Filter feeding

### How deep can Angelwing go?

1 m

## Where to spot

- [Janes Island State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/janes-island-state-park) — Maryland, US · State Park

## More Invertebrate

- [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral)
- [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*)
- [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*)
- [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*)

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Source: [Angelwing: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/angelwing)