Pismo Clam
ExploreInvertebrate
Pismo Clam
tivela stultorum
Pismo clams are fun little creatures that live in the sand at the beach! They can dig deep into the sand and are often found in groups.
Habitat: Pismo clams live in sandy beaches along the Pacific coast.
Appearance
The Pismo Clam has a thick, smooth, triangular shell, typically creamy white to light brown. Its surface often shows faint radiating dark lines, distinguishing it from thinner, rounder clams.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassBivalviaOrderVeneridaFamilyVeneridaeGenusTivela
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Each ring on a Pismo clam's shell shows its age, just like tree rings do!
Indigenous peoples once collected Pismo clams by the thousands for food.
Laws were made in the 1900s to protect Pismo clams from over-collection.
They are named after Pismo Beach, California, where they were once extremely abundant!
Special abilities
Ability
Sand Sprinter
Pismo Clam can rapidly burrow into wet sand using its strong muscular foot, which helps them hide from predators and rough waves.
Ability
Water Cleaner
Pismo Clam has two siphons that filter tiny food particles from the water, helping them eat and keep the ocean clear.
Ability
Armored Home
Pismo Clam has an incredibly thick, hard shell that provides excellent protection from crushing predators and strong currents.
Measurements & details
- Average Length
- 12 cm
- Max Length
- 18 cm
- Average Weight
- 250 g
- Max Lifespan
- 35 years
Diet & Feeding
Pismo Clams are ocean vacuum cleaners, sucking in water to filter out tiny bits of food!
Primary Foods
- phytoplankton
- zooplankton
- marine detritus
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eaten by
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
Crack open their shells for a tasty meal.
eaten by
Leopard Shark
Triakis semifasciata
Crushes clam shells with its blunt teeth.
eaten by
Ochre Sea Star
Pisaster ochraceus
Pulls open shells with its powerful arms.
Traits
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
cooked clamsand clam
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Be careful when digging in the sand to avoid harming the clams!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Pismo Clam?
12 cm
How much does Pismo Clam weigh?
250 g
How long does Pismo Clam live?
35 years
What does Pismo Clam eat?
Pismo Clams are ocean vacuum cleaners, sucking in water to filter out tiny bits of food!
Where is Pismo Clam usually found?
Pismo clams live in sandy beaches along the Pacific coast.
How does Pismo Clam hunt?
Filter Feeding
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
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