Purple Mahogany Clam
ExploreInvertebrate
Purple Mahogany Clam
nuttallia obscurata
The Purple Mahogany Clam is a special kind of clam that has a beautiful purple shell! It loves to live in sandy ocean floors where it can dig and hide.
Habitat: Sandy ocean floors in coastal waters
Appearance
The Purple Mahogany Clam has a smooth, oval shell that is a dull brownish-purple or mahogany color on the outside. Its most striking feature is the vibrant purple color on the inside of its shell, especially towards the hinge, making it visually distinct.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassBivalviaOrderCardiidaFamilyPsammobiidaeGenusNuttallia
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It can squirt out jets of water if you disturb its comfy burrow!
It uses two tubes, called siphons, to breathe and eat without moving!
Purple Mahogany Clams sometimes hitchhike across oceans by clinging to boats!
This clam can grow "rings" on its shell, telling its age, just like a tree!
Special abilities
Ability
Water Filter
Purple Mahogany Clam can filter huge amounts of water because of its siphons that help them gather tiny food particles.
Ability
Quick Digger
Purple Mahogany Clam can rapidly burrow into sand and mud using its strong muscular foot that helps them escape predators quickly.
Ability
Shell Protector
Purple Mahogany Clam has a thick, tough shell that helps them stay safe from hungry predators and strong ocean currents.
Measurements & details
- Max Lifespan
- 12 years
- Depth Range
- 0-10
- Avg Shell Length
- 5 cm
- Max Shell Length
- 8 cm
Diet & Feeding
This clam filters tiny particles like algae and plant bits from the water for its food.
Primary Foods
- phytoplankton
- zooplankton
- detritus
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eaten by
Ochre Sea Star
Pisaster ochraceus
Major predator on clams.
eaten by
Red Rock Crab
Cancer productus
Crushes shells to eat.
eaten by
Black Oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani
Pries open clam shells.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
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
Mahogany ClamNuttall's ClamPurple Clam
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Purple Mahogany Clam live?
12 years
What does Purple Mahogany Clam eat?
This clam filters tiny particles like algae and plant bits from the water for its food.
Where is Purple Mahogany Clam usually found?
Sandy ocean floors in coastal waters
How does Purple Mahogany Clam hunt?
Filter Feeding
How deep can Purple Mahogany Clam go?
0-10
What is the avg Shell Length of Purple Mahogany Clam?
5 cm
What is the max Shell Length of Purple Mahogany Clam?
8 cm
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park47 sightings6 species
British Columbia, CA
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
You might spot European Rabbit, Yellow Shore Crab, and Nootka Rose.
View guide →
Park25 sightings5 species
British Columbia, CA
Gabriola Sands Provincial Park
You might spot Red Rock Crab, Dungeness Crab, and Salal.
View guide →
Park9 sightings4 species
Washington, US
Bataan Park
You might spot Madrone Skin Miner, Pacific Madrone, and Western Redcedar.
View guide →
