# Pink Papershell (*Potamilus ohiensis*) The Pink Papershell is a special freshwater mussel with a beautiful pink shell. These little creatures help keep rivers clean by filtering water and are important for their homes in rivers and lakes. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and lakes ![Pink Papershell](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Potamilus_ohiensis_-_pink_papershell_mussel_-_Marais_des_Cygnes_River_-_US_-_2011.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mountain-Prairie Region. US Fish and Wildlife Service. US Department of the Interior., Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Potamilus_ohiensis_-_pink_papershell_mussel_-_Marais_des_Cygnes_River_-_US_-_2011.jpg) ## Appearance The Pink Papershell has a delicate, oval shell that is smooth and thin, often appearing pale pink or yellowish. Its fragile nature and subtle color distinguish it from many other freshwater mussels. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Mollusca - **Class:** Bivalvia - **Order:** Unionida - **Family:** Unionidae - **Genus:** Potamilus ## Interesting facts - Its larvae are so tiny, they're like invisible hitchhikers on fish! - Some shells have beautiful iridescent mother-of-pearl on the inside. - They help create tiny habitats for bugs living on the river bottom. - This mussel is a 'living filter,' helping keep rivers healthy for other animals! ## Special abilities - **Water Purifier:** Pink Papershell can filter water through its siphons, removing tiny particles and cleaning its environment. - **Fishy Ferry:** Pink Papershell's larvae (glochidia) attach to fish gills, allowing them to travel far upstream or downstream. - **Mud Mover:** Pink Papershell has a strong muscular foot that helps it slowly burrow into the soft riverbed for safety. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8 cm - **Weight:** 75 g - **Lifespan:** 15 years ## Diet & Feeding Eats tiny bits of food filtered from the water. - **Primary Foods:** algae, phytoplankton, bacteria, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — They dig mussels from shallow water at night. - **Eats:** [Muskrat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/muskrat) (*Ondatra zibethicus*) — Muskrats are skilled at opening mussel shells. - **Depends on:** [Yellow Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-perch) (*Perca flavescens*) — Its young (glochidia) temporarily attach to the gills of this fish. - **Depends on:** [Bluegill](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bluegill) (*Lepomis macrochirus*) — The mussel's larvae use Bluegill as a temporary host to develop. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be careful near water and always ask an adult before touching anything in the river. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pink Papershell? Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Pink Papershell? 8 cm ### How much does Pink Papershell weigh? 75 g ### How long does Pink Papershell live? 15 years ### What does Pink Papershell eat? Eats tiny bits of food filtered from the water. ### Where is Pink Papershell usually found? Freshwater rivers and lakes ### How does Pink Papershell hunt? Filter feeding ## Where to spot - [Pawnee County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pawnee-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Robert Allerton Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/robert-allerton-park) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden ## 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*) --- Source: [Pink Papershell: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pink-papershell)