Mollusks:
Clams are bivalve mollusks, well-known for their decorative shells or as seafood. There are over 15,000 different species of clams.
Anatomy of a Clam:
Clams have two shells that are joined at the top. The adductor muscles hold the shell closed and ligaments pull the shell open. The clams foot is used to dig down into the sand. They have a pair of siphons that reach up to the water. Covering the body is a thick sheet called the mantle. The mantle is responsible for shell formation.
Diet and Digestion:
Clams draw in water through one siphon to the gills. They extract oxygen and filter out plankton for food.
Reproduction:
Fertilized eggs develop inside the parent's shell, then the young are released through the siphon. They attach themselves to a fish, forming a cyst. The young clams then break out and fall to the bottom, where they live their lives.
Defending Themselves:
Clams defend themselves by pulling their soft body into their shells and closing them tightly.
