Clam

ocean · shells · burrowers · molluscs

Two equal shells. A clam's shell has two matching halves connected by two strong muscles called adductor muscles. These muscles can snap the shell shut super fast to protect the clam inside.

Powerful digging foot. Clams have a special muscular foot that works like a shovel to help them burrow down into sand and mud. They spend most of their lives halfway buried on the ocean floor.

Both fresh and salt water. Clams live in oceans, bays, and rivers all over the world. North America has the greatest variety of clam species of anywhere on Earth.

Water filters food. Clams don't hunt for food like other animals do. Instead, they pull water in through their shells and filter out tiny bits of food to eat.