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Nuttall's Cockle
ExploreInvertebrate
Nuttall's Cockle
Clinocardium nuttallii
Nuttall's Cockle is a small, round shellfish that lives in sandy ocean floors. Its shell is smooth and can be found on beaches, making it fun to collect and look at!
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Nuttall's Cockle has a large, thick, heart-shaped shell with prominent, evenly-spaced ribs radiating from the hinge. Its color ranges from pale cream to yellowish-brown, often with darker concentric growth rings, and it lacks any spines or elaborate patterns.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassBivalviaOrderCardiidaFamilyCardiidaeGenusClinocardium
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
If you ever find a live one, you might feel it wiggle its powerful, tongue-like foot in your hand!
The Nuttall's Cockle has a strong muscle that snaps its shell shut super tight for safety!
These amazing cockles can live for more than 10 years if conditions are just right in their ocean home!
You can sometimes spot their tiny 'breathing tubes' sticking out of the sand at low tide!
Special abilities
Ability
Quick Burrower
Nuttall's Cockle can rapidly dig into the sand using its powerful, wedge-shaped foot that helps them escape predators quickly.
Ability
Water Filter
Nuttall's Cockle can filter tiny food particles and plankton from the water using specialized siphons that help them eat and breathe.
Ability
Oxygen Extractor
Nuttall's Cockle has specialized gills inside its shell that pull oxygen from the surrounding seawater, allowing them to breathe underwater.
Measurements & details
- Shell Length
- 5-15 cm
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
Diet & Feeding
Nuttall's Cockles are tiny water cleaners, constantly filtering out microscopic food from the ocean.
Primary Foods
- phytoplankton
- zooplankton
- detritus
- microscopic organisms
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eaten by
Purple Sea Star
Pisaster ochraceus
A common predator
eaten by
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
Cracks shells open
eaten by
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Western Gull
Larus occidentalis
Picks from exposed sand
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always wash your hands after touching shells or sea creatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Nuttall's Cockle?
The easiest way to identify Nuttall's Cockle is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How big is Nuttall's Cockle?
5-15 cm
How long does Nuttall's Cockle live?
10-15 years
What does Nuttall's Cockle eat?
Nuttall's Cockles are tiny water cleaners, constantly filtering out microscopic food from the ocean.
Where is Nuttall's Cockle usually found?
Coastal areas
How does Nuttall's Cockle hunt?
Filter Feeding
Snap Map
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