Quahog Clam
ExploreInvertebrate
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.
Habitat: Coastal areas
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.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumMolluscaClassBivalviaOrderVeneridaFamilyVeneridaeGenusMercenaria
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Super Sifter
Quahog Clam can clean vast amounts of water by filter-feeding, using its siphons to draw in tiny food particles.
Ability
Ancient Dweller
Quahog Clam has an incredibly long lifespan, potentially living over 500 years, making it one of Earth's oldest animals.
Ability
Burrowing Buddy
Quahog Clam can quickly bury itself into the sand or mud using its muscular foot, hiding from hungry predators.
Measurements & details
- Max Weight
- 1 kg
- Max 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
Haematopus palliatus
Birds use their strong bills to open clam shells.
Traits
Ancient
Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Fossil
A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.
Natural
Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.
Also known as
Black ClamChowder ClamHard ClamLittle Neck ClamOcean Quahog
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Always wash your hands after handling clams or being near the water where they live.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Snap Map
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