# Quahog Clam (*Mercenaria mercenaria*) Quahog clams are shellfish that live in the sandy bottoms of coastal waters. They have hard shells that protect their soft bodies inside. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Black Clam, Chowder Clam, Hard Clam, Little Neck Clam, Ocean Quahog ![Quahog Clam](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425699/objects/6341.jpg) ## Appearance The Quahog Clam has a thick, hard shell, typically oval or heart-shaped, with prominent concentric growth rings. Its exterior is usually dull grey or off-white, sometimes with lighter bands, while the interior can reveal a striking purple. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Mollusca - **Class:** Bivalvia - **Order:** Venerida - **Family:** Veneridae - **Genus:** Mercenaria ## Interesting facts - Its strong foot helps it dig deep into the seabed, making a cozy home! - The clam's shell grows bigger by adding new layers from the inside out! - They don't have eyes, but can still sense light and dark in their watery world! - You can tell a quahog's age by counting its growth rings, just like a tree! ## Special abilities - **Super Sifter:** Quahog Clam can clean vast amounts of water by filter-feeding, using its siphons to draw in tiny food particles. - **Ancient Dweller:** Quahog Clam has an incredibly long lifespan, potentially living over 500 years, making it one of Earth's oldest animals. - **Burrowing Buddy:** Quahog Clam can quickly bury itself into the sand or mud using its muscular foot, hiding from hungry predators. ## Measurements & details - **Weight:** 1 kg - **Lifespan:** 507 years - **Max Shell Length:** 15 cm ## Diet & Feeding Tiny ocean bits are a quahog's favorite meal, filtered from the water. - **Primary Foods:** phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus, suspended organic matter - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Green Crab (*Carcinus maenas*) — Crabs use strong claws to crush quahog shells. - **Eaten by:** Red Porgy (*Pagrus pagrus*) — Fish with strong jaws can feed on buried clams. - **Eaten by:** Forbes Sea Star (*Asterias forbesi*) — Sea stars pry open shells with their powerful arms. - **Eaten by:** [American Oystercatcher](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-oystercatcher) (*Haematopus palliatus*) — Birds use their strong bills to open clam shells. ## Traits - [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits. - [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created. ## Collections - [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always wash your hands after handling clams or being near the water where they live. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Quahog Clam? Compare the overall shape, opening, spiral, ribs, hinge and surface sculpture. Beach shells often lose the colors and sharp edges they had on the living animal, so shape does most of the work. Seashell Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How much does Quahog Clam weigh? 1 kg ### How long does Quahog Clam live? 507 years ### What does Quahog Clam eat? Tiny ocean bits are a quahog's favorite meal, filtered from the water. ### Where is Quahog Clam usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Quahog Clam hunt? Filter feeding ### What is the max Shell Length of Quahog Clam? 15 cm ## Where to spot - [Bellevue Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellevue-avenue-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Connecticut College Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/connecticut-college-arboretum) — Connecticut, US · Botanical Garden - [Guilford Historic Town Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/guilford-historic-town-center) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Harkness Memorial State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harkness-memorial-state-park) — Connecticut, US · Botanical Garden - [Hempstead Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hempstead-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Ocean Drive Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ocean-drive-historic-district) — US · Historic District [View all places to see Quahog Clam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/quahog-clam) ## 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: [Quahog Clam: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quahog-clam)