Pacific Gaper
ExploreInvertebrate
Pacific Gaper
tresus nuttallii
The Pacific Gaper is a fascinating clam that burrows into the sandy ocean floor! Kids will love learning how it filters food from the water around it.
Habitat: They live in sandy ocean bottoms along the Pacific coast.
Appearance
The Pacific Gaper has a large, thick shell, often dirty white or yellowish, that gaps open because its long, leathery siphon cannot fully retract. Its siphon tip can be orange or reddish, a key difference from similar clams.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassBivalviaOrderVeneridaFamilyMactridaeGenusTresus
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby gapers float as tiny larvae before settling down in the sand.
Its name 'gaper' comes from its shell not closing completely!
The gaper's siphon can sometimes be longer than its entire shell!
They are a favorite food for sea otters, who dig them up like buried treasure!
Special abilities
Ability
Deep Burrower
Pacific Gaper can burrow almost a meter deep because of its powerful foot, which helps them hide from predators.
Ability
Respiratory Tube
Pacific Gaper has a super long siphon that helps them breathe and eat even when buried deep in the sand.
Ability
Water Filter
Pacific Gaper can filter large volumes of water because of special gills, helping them gather tiny food particles.
Measurements & details
- Shell Length
- 25 cm
- Siphon Length
- 20 cm
- Weight
- 1.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 20 years
Diet & Feeding
This giant clam sips tiny plants and animals from the water through its long straw-like siphon.
Primary Foods
- phytoplankton
- zooplankton
- detritus
- algae
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eats
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
They are a key food source for hungry sea otters.
hunts
Lewis' Moon Snail
Neverita lewisii
Moon snails drill into their shells to reach the soft clam inside.
eats
Dungeness Crab
Cancer magister
Crabs will sometimes prey on smaller or exposed Pacific Gapers.
depends on
Eelgrass
Zostera marina
Eelgrass beds stabilize sediment, creating prime Gaper habitat.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Gaper ClamPacific Clam
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Pacific Gaper?
25 cm
How much does Pacific Gaper weigh?
1.5 kg
How long does Pacific Gaper live?
20 years
What does Pacific Gaper eat?
This giant clam sips tiny plants and animals from the water through its long straw-like siphon.
Where is Pacific Gaper usually found?
They live in sandy ocean bottoms along the Pacific coast.
How does Pacific Gaper hunt?
Filter Feeding
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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